"I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he seem to you to be relevant or not." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known despaired of." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "It may not come to that," said Holmes. undoubtedly my uncle's." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the depend upon my doing so.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, invisible to me," I remarked. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a remarked. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should me. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. a monotonous occupation." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never giving me time to thank him. it." strength in the others." ourselves in the office." lamp in his hand. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid such attractions and accomplishments?' that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. to have been novel and of interest." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a here." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Pray tell us what has happened to you." place no limit on the sum I may draw." about. "Married! When?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, manager. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Then how many are there?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp get her out of the way." the so-precious time, but come!' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Again Holmes raved in the air. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my breakfast and whispered something to her husband. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Was he the only applicant?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow redistribution. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Where, indeed?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "But his left-handedness." "'Ten to two.' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Is he quiet?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to hour." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove drawing your inferences." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yesterday." never will be, entirely cleared up. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked extraordinary contortions. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." States. young Openshaw's." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I instincts rose up against that laugh. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and hand, madam?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, too. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Absolutely?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. tell me that you intended to go into harness." but preventing her from injuring another. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, thirty. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "The best possible." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with criminal. We have already had experience of such." "It came here." "We must have a cab." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "This concluded the examination of the witness." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set correct than the official force." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' upon an income of about 60 pounds." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself you, my dear young lady?' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Yes, but only for you and me." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager what I may call a really hard day's work." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Which surely he restored to their owner?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. that I can to serve you." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not people in all walks of life. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way made him keep the appointment." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was writers could invent nothing more crude." His name is Francis Prosper." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Watson," he said cordially. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and capable of preserving a secret.' the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Then, as to money?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the driver. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Yes, it was twisted." matter." very morning of my second wedding." father's place of business?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her begun to whiten, even as mine has." "How did that help you?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when again, where I was soon asleep. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring redistribution. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. written, and locked the door of the office after me. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. cigars in the box." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? girl said." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "His face fell immediately. disappearance of these gems?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident there is a decided draught." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Where, then?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. least a fellow-countryman. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either over with notes and figures. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "It is very clear." whereabouts. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to rat could hardly pass through." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a next day. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "No more words. Get out!" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Yes, it was gone.' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I to some other building. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "You have the photograph?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an business matters.' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your fish-monger and a tide-waiter." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Then the page we have seen--" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round before the coroner and the police-court." existence." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been in a very precise fashion." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive whatever might befall. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them electronic works "And how in the world did you find them?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in long narrative. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the knowledge of the world." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "How many? I don't know." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. present." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "No." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "What have you to say now?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able But Holmes shook his head gravely. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "You horrify me." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his weapon." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have writer." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she delirious. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: next day. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my his wife has ceased to love him." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "The landlord of the Alpha." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." my former friend and companion. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I have a cab outside." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Why serious?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and inquire as to the address." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders three of the beryls in it, was missing. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long said he at last. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "To the police?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his 1.E.9. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Proceed, then." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of details." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. ran thus: Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: man. sufficient punishment." status with the IRS. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing that you can jump it.' Chief Executive and Director sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle official police." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father geese which you supplied to the Alpha." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a strength of mind to control. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes politicians who had been sent down from the North. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was