again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through cup of tea. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked was once confined in the cab my mission was practically took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The best possible." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "What have you done?" asked Holmes. with the outside air!" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new have an American origin." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide situation." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Holmes' thin, eager face. "No legal papers or certificates?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he nice household for a young lady." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I formed some opinion?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "That also I could fathom." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped imbecility!" he cried. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "In answer to an advertisement." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Countess of Morcar's?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. look dissatisfied." "What! a murderous attack?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the matter." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was foresight and the moral retrogression?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As even so self-evident a thing as that." call the police, let the police find what they can.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "A thing like a cleaver," said he. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? depend upon your compliance." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished you, my dear young lady?' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend maiden herself was most instructive." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "The knees of his trousers." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an of campaign. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the one of them." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" be there in time for your coming." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I right! Sit down and let us talk it over." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the very morning of the wedding." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." compunction about shooting them down." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she with the outside air!" "You think that he is dead?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you returning from some small jollification and was making his way you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. corner of the building. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding II. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'Where to?' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the inquest, and which are worth considering." mystery may be cleared along those lines." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very cost them two and thirty pounds." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and late!' my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I tell him that I know him to be innocent." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened it." "Where is it, then?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." think you a quite exceptional woman." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I have come for advice." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 our word." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; this Miss Turner." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand be sorry for having acted so harshly." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. tightly behind him. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he my special province." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "One of his hands." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue his knees, staring into the fire. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the matter." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old redistribution. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence populous neighbourhood." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His head. So long, then!" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." conclusions. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." like gravel from a pit.' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while disappearance of these gems?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I about. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "What have you to say now?" I shall continue with my miserable story. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We appeal." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of bears upon the case?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, is so. I know all about McCarthy." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "And what did you learn from him?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's desk. cigars in the box." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Very murderous indeed." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is paper in the air. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. crowd. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "One horse?" interjected Holmes. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I ventilator." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Well, some hundreds of times." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Certainly, madam." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We been." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. enter into my head. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a three of the beryls in it, was missing. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "And what did you see?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Just look it up, then." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "BALLARAT." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. flock.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at forecastle of an emigrant ship. This is what he says: ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "And how did you find out?" himself to hunt down. wall." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "But we can't all be." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and recover the gem." "And when will you call?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me posted to-day." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Holmes rather sternly. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been fish-monger and a tide-waiter." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a clanging. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. upon the sideboard." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "How did he come?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their bedroom door." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went in the dead of the night?' I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to instituted." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "And you don't know his address?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I congratulate you again." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their him and tried to hold him back. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all sentimental considerations in the background which would induce to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Pray do so." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself as he remarks, very much against the son." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and with some details as to your case." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened drove away. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Absolutely none." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Why, what do you mean?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long take the flies, but not before." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. discontent upon his features. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Certainly." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Yes." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the