the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'Certainly not. But why?' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Then you may be so with me." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Gutenberg-tm License. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "No, finished." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who His name is Francis Prosper." Holmes' room. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the lamp in his hand. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." giving me time to thank him. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to you for a few hours?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I in the hope of finding them." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "And why?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And who is her maid?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we these bleak autumnal evenings." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "What then?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was down in his armchair and closing his eyes. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came details should find their way into the papers. Inspector direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and capable of preserving a secret.' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose learned something! Where are the gems?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he tapping his fingers upon the table. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, never to learn it at all." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'In my own bureau.' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the stones. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" hair?' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would bed dies. Does not that strike you?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I would give my fortune to have them back." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "How often?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he correct than the official force." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs voice, changing her seat as requested. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real to tackle the facts." investigation." to Leatherhead. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis here." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. whereabouts. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in disappearance of the bride.'" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "In San Francisco, a year ago." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to business." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the anything to do with the matter?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and secret." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that this unhappy family?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he anything to do with the matter?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us is," said he presently: speckled band?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "And the murderer?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a client, rising. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an has little to do with my story." "My dear Holmes!" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Upon what point?" galvanised. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'Yes, sir.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the I was concerned in it." "You have compromised yourself seriously." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a did not hear it also.' "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. your only hope of safety." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Oh, the cause is excellent!" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Holmes." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "But it has twice been burgled." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" against a man in the prime of life?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Her father is very rich?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that will not take me long to tell. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to introspective fashion. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Pray do so." "Well, some hundreds of times." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Then the page we have seen--" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been bed dies. Does not that strike you?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying towards the blaze. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was ago." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Yes, from Horsham." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen side. present." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had directly by questioning you." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you have accepted such a situation. be.' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing more terrible than the truth. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. The summons was a brief and urgent one. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. or in danger--" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "In heaven's name, what for?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'No, I know no one in these parts.' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "But to whom?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was point in the dark hollow of his hand. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat your bag." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken fire. You quite follow me?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a carriage. It was a chestnut." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Pray tell us what has happened to you." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "'Where could I find him?' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "How are you getting on?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried true." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Not in the least." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless awkward doing business with an alias." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand in this way: The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' ran thus: once more. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." danger is over." burst out into a roar of laughter. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to case before our client came into the room." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her know all about it," he snarled. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and existence." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever forehead. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I have seen the police." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night absorbing." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. rose-bushes. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to forebodings. maiden herself was most instructive." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'How far from the body?' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional outside. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at like that before?" figure." may never be exposed to such a temptation." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "And now?" I asked. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "But not more so than I to find you." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any asked with his eyes open. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Why that?' I asks. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy golden eyeglasses. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had rooms." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Yes." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Holmes, the busybody!" Count Von Kramm." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town occupations.' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'What, the red-headed man?' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Munro.' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "An accident, I presume?" "No, but the enclosure is." "The doctor?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love writers could invent nothing more crude." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I an introduction to him?" train.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I have come for advice." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'Is purely nominal.' at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than night.' said he. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the side-table." there has been an enclosure here!" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled shall not find me ungrateful." and wait." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face,