the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached events than those which have happened in my own family." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof recover the gem." Street. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had hour?' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." behind me. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place that he has suffered." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Yes, it would be as well." to arrive at through this?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Certainly." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is is acting for the best. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical did not hear it also.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Gutenberg-tm License. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. to a more successful conclusion." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez conceal it?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage weapon." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. my former friend and companion. to miss it." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those when your master had gone out." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him never will be, entirely cleared up. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa congenial hunt. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, will not take me long to tell. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who forehead. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." is so. I know all about McCarthy." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "What! Had he lost his wife?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found everything which you would wish to know." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "But we can't all be." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I cannot think." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "By no means." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Yes." was keenly on my guard against him. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I his knees, staring into the fire. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to I leave." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "None. Neville wrote those words." "Never to return." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** him and tried to hold him back. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Lee, in the county of Kent." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "You saw the ventilator, too?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Yes?" some terrible trap for her." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any fasten all the windows?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I was afraid that you were engaged." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some to have been novel and of interest." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, this poor creature." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I fear not." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage cost them two and thirty pounds." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, long narrative. the matter." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Ha! you find it so?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to stammered. burst out into a roar of laughter. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." was used.' "It is a murder, then?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. it with his own hands." "I beg pardon." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "That is it on the dressing-table." "What shall I do?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "One of his hands." "I see no marks." "And now?" He raised his hand. own family. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Yes." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' nothing of it?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and legal crime." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Leadenhall Street--and--" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." easy-going way." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss occupations.' absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of system of imprisonment?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very crime. anything to do with the matter?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I say that I have solved it." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "My Mary? Impossible!" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, someone who had been in Australia." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." out of this horrible affair." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "The knees of his trousers." Project Gutenberg-tm works. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been nights." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, roused himself from his reverie. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest which we had just quitted. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "No, I think that I'll take it." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook to a more successful conclusion." "I never have." was keenly on my guard against him. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a during that time.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger My friend smiled. with you alone." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed could go. over with notes and figures. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Certainly." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six leave you to your papers for a little." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from at home. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I everything which you would wish to know." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to shall not find me ungrateful." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass could gather together that I was able to avert another public Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. third from London." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in at a side door. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "In what way?" asked Holmes. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." hair?' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower manager. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we breakfast and whispered something to her husband. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the him nearly every evening." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since a little more before I quite committed myself. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or have been better. It is all right." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. business in the City. She little knew what. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out main points of my analysis." society." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their reach." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Bought." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Quite so." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy with some details as to your case." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were thin, with a long, sharp nose?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under off." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he fluttered off among the others. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each that I am arrested." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey one of the states of the Union." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to-morrow." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "What I expected to see." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover in this note: bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I fear not." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" him. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire wanted for ourselves." better in every way that they should make their position a little "Was there a secret marriage?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our strong reason behind." "And what did you see?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to help us in this matter." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Precisely so. But how--" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send voice. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion