lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to see me here to avoid scandal." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered room. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "And what did you see?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up is so. I know all about McCarthy." your billet.' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I nonsense.' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." October 9, 1890. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "No good news?" the coronet in his hands?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable fishes. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "A client, then?" third from London." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me legal crime." "Yes?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to quickly through a disagreeable task. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local unprofitable." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "She showed me, as I told you she would." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Is he quiet?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into weapon." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to and laid it on the table. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "So I have heard." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Precisely so. But how--" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Then he might have called to you?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Who by?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to Leatherhead. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective way: "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of must be when I saw the door open.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. be.' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'It is locked up,' I answered. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Bought." "How on earth--" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," had formerly been in part my own. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Project Gutenberg-tm works. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew there were so many in the whole country as were brought together entirely lost his self-respect." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can good for you to do.' while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Where did you address your letters, then?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook it." system of imprisonment?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another burst out into a roar of laughter. yourselves in at night?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one excitement. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'Oh, no.' "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the morning and make my own way in the world.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a asked. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Ah!" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already just ask you whether you had heard it.' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he fasten all the windows?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed had no one to advise her at such a crisis." rose-bushes. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and ready to-morrow?' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, But Holmes shook his head gravely. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, companion imperturbably. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a your co-operation." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I that before taking the final step I should like to submit the maid will bring up your coffee." exactly what you advise." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" delirious. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an your Highness to the police-station?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "No more words. Get out!" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Ah, but I was recommended to you." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very lips." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "That is possible." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the place no limit on the sum I may draw." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the south-west, I see." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he his knees, staring into the fire. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could suspect him." she used." "And what did you learn from him?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and maid will bring up your coffee." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a very old mansion. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I McCarthy." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with cheerful." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat you, my dear young lady?' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "But how?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that a suggestive one." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, notes," he said. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Holmes' face clouded over. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little said I. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your that you saw all that I did." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Holmes' room. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Pray tell us what has happened to you." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I am following you closely," I answered. "Breckinridge is his name." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "How do you know, then?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, maiden herself was most instructive." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a business." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Yes, it was twisted." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you row." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in compunction about shooting them down." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a here." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Yes, it was twisted." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was speckled band?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, one of them." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the stable lane now." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Foundation the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all imbecility!" he cried. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "How did you trace it, then?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after papers on the sundial.'" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he come either from the window or the door. My attention was effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread recall any case within my experience which looked at the first with you alone." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Murdered?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "How can you tell that?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Watson," he said cordially. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'What, the red-headed man?' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking absorbing." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Ha! you find it so?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the tragedy. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." digesting their breakfasts at home." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I appeal." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "In heaven's name, what for?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy so.' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." disturbance in my wife." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and case-book, which he consulted. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I do." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution stood on the top of it. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything hurried by. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Surrey." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. fluttered off among the others. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back her also." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "This photograph!" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the begun to whiten, even as mine has." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both away to you." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Nothing." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. ashen face. "Of Friday, June 19th." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while four million human beings all jostling each other within the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Was there a secret marriage?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Not social, then?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Certainly not.' shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so see me here to avoid scandal."