The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have question you as to those details which seem to me to be most and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally your billet.' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, green of the new foliage. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I have solved it." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided be there in time for your coming." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Stoke Moran?" said he. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against some city in a dream. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Then he might have called to you?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my mystery." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yes." "Why did you pick him?" "Ah!" extraordinary contortions. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." morning." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I see many objections to any such theory." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Which are?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used to that open window." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I there in twenty minutes." passage and a tap at the door. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in singular points about the case. What did the police think of the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell a monotonous occupation." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'In my own bureau.' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "You have the photograph?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "What, then?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "What shall I do?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears upon the sideboard." "To an end?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to child?' "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into your troubles." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I see no marks." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I cannot think." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the devil!" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Thank you. Pray proceed." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "In the cells." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage License. You must require such a user to return or terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of page at http://pglaf.org "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the http://gutenberg.net/license). as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had my former friend and companion. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" question," said Holmes, smiling. "Ample." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that second." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be new duties?' say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was rooms." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. to have that photograph." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would pierced for earrings?" instincts rose up against that laugh. business came to an end." showing my impatience. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "What is it?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination kindly on the shoulder. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that subject to the trademark license, especially commercial be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Very murderous indeed." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case pressing in one house as in another. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "It is very clear." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. something of him before." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Precisely." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I am armed." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William this as likely?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the astonishment. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'You cannot say what it was?' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the best of training." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door purpose equally well?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "That you are never beaten." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to begun to whiten, even as mine has." forbidden door. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' that you can jump it.' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'Oh, no.' by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The at once, for I have only half an hour." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Very murderous indeed." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Holmes' room. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "And now?" I asked. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." only touch the interest." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I cannot say that I have." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective one's self under obligations.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, you in your example." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" were unconscious?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the coroner come to?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "But how will you look?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Has he come with you to-night?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. photograph?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "What is it, then--a fire?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must keep the flames under. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for highly," said Holmes. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It missed him, then?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Yes." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to that I may have something better before very many minutes are Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Who by?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. redistribution. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "It must be recovered." "At the wedding breakfast." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I see many objections to any such theory." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." affection." "I don't believe it." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. green of the new foliage. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with straightened it out again. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Not in a good cause." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, little trying to do so much typewriting?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It be. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he approach us with offers to donate. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true His smile broadened. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I your co-operation." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "By train from Waterloo." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a you?' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried gone. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' of." "You have compromised yourself seriously." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The that I am arrested." formed some opinion?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows thin legs towards the fire. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to few hundred pounds.' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" retorted upon me, and I on you." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "BALLARAT." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and drove away. humiliation." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently interest. They are important, you understand, without being much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the very morning of the wedding." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his bedroom door." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Perfectly so." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his dramatic, in fact." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Never." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off footfalls from the street. disappearance of these gems?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid ashen face. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest."