it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Not particularly." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'What do you call purely nominal?' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was gentleman's clothes. showing my impatience. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "This concluded the examination of the witness." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of that you wished to speak to me?' "But what harm can there be in that?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Murdered?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Pray be precise as to details," said he. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Project Gutenberg-tm works. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "But of what society?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' fat-encircled eyes. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe business at Coburg Square is serious." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" I. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending intrusion of other matters." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Why did you beat the pavement?" you for a few hours?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. situation." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin families. Now for the facts. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "In what way?" asked Holmes. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. easy-going way." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "I think that it is very probable." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There have accepted such a situation. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and should be so warm over such a trifle." out of this horrible affair." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "At what time?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the room while you explain this matter?" writer." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "It must be recovered." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Witness: It was. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the some water from a caraffe. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the who was a member of your goose club." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the Red-headed League." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My thought that she would have been so carried away." "The rest you will leave in our hands." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fashion which was peculiar to him. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle this Miss Turner." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New means taking possession of that which another person has a prior layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Not yet." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but thin legs towards the fire. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Of what?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his second window is the one that I jumped from." "I see no marks." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the some water from a caraffe. some city in a dream. His name is Francis Prosper." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the coronet in his hand?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking any little problem which you may submit to me." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And it is--" Serpentine Avenue. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there DAMAGE. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Arthur Conan Doyle journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside weary and pale-looking. the one as in the other." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Whose house is it?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "He might." never to learn it at all." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Where, indeed?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." retorted upon me, and I on you." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was persecution?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and shall use the carriage to-night." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." forbidden door. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion views." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "By no means." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional fait accompli?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "And how?" records." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a his knees, staring into the fire. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' done what I asked you, Jones?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, memory. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time pound a week." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Yes, it was twisted." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Was the window open?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock crackling voice. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I am about to be married." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him was it brought him the coronet? was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting key turn in the lock." "What, then, did Peterson do?" "But to whom?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "And your father? Did you tell him?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "That is unusual in a young girl." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There of your young ladies.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers populous neighbourhood." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a window when the police appeared." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the little opening for the ventilator is." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they once more. as he folded up the epistle. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and look upon these things in a different way." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers not use it unless it is absolutely needed." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, down. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, depend upon my doing so.' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to tell me that you intended to go into harness." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "And the cigar-holder?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, affair. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear figure." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and shall probably return to London by the evening train." him, that man would not have given me such complete information young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own house for five minutes.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Entirely." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than which I could not give. He asked for Alice. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of this gang." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Certainly." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the you came in." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to hour." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I will not look." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I was sure that I might rely on you." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw written. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt I was concerned in it." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You are certainly joking, Holmes." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left lost nothing by them." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the child." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is thin, with a long, sharp nose?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased advice." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter unprecedented a position." himself. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss redistribution. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked carpenter." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who lost his Christmas dinner." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "No, thank goodness, she did not." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the bed, and you in that chair." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the coronet in his hand?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Never." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may with the outside air!" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" third from London." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. people in all walks of life. upon the white wrist. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he there were one or two details which were new to me. But the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled to surprise her." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he shall not find me ungrateful."