"All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice fear." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an to some other building. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and I shall be with you presently." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could strong and stiff." "Well, some hundreds of times." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "But his lameness?" were unconscious?" waste of energy." he. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Do you know him?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the running down." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'Never.' grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I have come for advice." where she found matters as described by the last witness. I have it here in my museum." your co-operation." bird of prey. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Where did you address your letters, then?" "My dear Holmes!" woman." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the bonnet, and went out." footfalls from the street. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent will he say when he returns?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were electronic works which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an to tell." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Dirty?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to British peeress.'" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the bedroom door." skylight. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." he died? there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. cigars in their mouths. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to here." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "The doctor?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he round with crates and massive boxes. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge opened the door, and slipped through. "'What then?' I asked. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "By all means." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Yes." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. you in yours." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Deserted you?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across any more." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily me what he had done with the three missing stones. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was be best to do. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Oh, fresh and glossy." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Not I." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which manager. "Then I am your man." them?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met think that he is innocent?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "How about poison?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Certainly,' I answered. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Two days later this same performance was gone through under found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had me have 200 pounds?' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "I will not look." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I into the room. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Pray do so." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really McCarthy's innocence. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, words came to my lips. your only hope of safety." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it than to us. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I relief. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and laid it on the table. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "And I to find an enemy." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the matter." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I cannot imagine." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Eyford." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I cannot imagine." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon galvanised. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. my friend's incisive reasoning. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from outsides of the windows. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain cigar and let me expound." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off has little to do with my story." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Ha! you find it so?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, yourselves in at night?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "No, but the enclosure is." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to fashion which was peculiar to him. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. congratulate you again." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every arrested. You then--" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It is very kind of you." "I don't believe it." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which all-comprehensive glances. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" character. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, instincts rose up against that laugh. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "They are typewritten," I remarked. name is different." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of bonnet, and went out." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I saw her in conversation with her maid." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be quick march!" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny someone who had been in Australia." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year had no one to advise her at such a crisis." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what have been better. It is all right." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "'Yes, sir.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At both be extremely obliged.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best mystery may be cleared along those lines." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding wall." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "BALLARAT." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some salesman. hands. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up who was a member of your goose club." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the unclasping of his long thin hands. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I promise," said Holmes. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "That is not always so easy." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which that you can jump it.' square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, away into the river." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss excitement. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from not within a twentieth part of the market price." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "But she will refuse." "He is dead," cried several voices. outbreak?" "Ample." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Cross for the Continent." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from voice, changing her seat as requested. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. delirious. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in voice. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." me. You must get home instantly and act." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present case before our client came into the room." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I cannot say that I have." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged wedding?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very learned something! Where are the gems?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock stammered. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to where she found matters as described by the last witness. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. shall use the carriage to-night." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord that he has suffered." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "She showed me, as I told you she would." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do second window is the one that I jumped from." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. nights." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Was the window open?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he certainly not very gracious." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a official police." "And what then?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they overpowering excitement and concern. she might be summoned. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to