as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of floor. This is what he says: found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an weigh very heavily upon my conscience." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, hands. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open eat it." carpenter." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate felt?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I made his money." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Why? What do you mean?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you other lovers by making love himself." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a point in the dark hollow of his hand. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the like gravel from a pit.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and strong reason behind." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss tell them apart.' "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the know that the truth is known." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Then the page we have seen--" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Dirty?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the all-comprehensive glances. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since miles off. "How did that help you?" your only hope of safety." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Why? What do you mean?" important." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Proceed, then." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the matter?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke despair." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, mystery may be cleared along those lines." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Then I can wait in the next room." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "But he might be a bachelor." to-night?" I asked. money should be paid at once.' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its you." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Does that suggest anything?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to subject to the trademark license, especially commercial about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, directly by questioning you." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had flock.' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Ah, but I was recommended to you." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I am all attention, madam." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "No sign of it?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Has he come with you to-night?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "That you are never beaten." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" have had none more fantastic than this." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one his cane at the bell-pull. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I know where it is." narrative." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I should be immensely obliged to you." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "And Miss Sutherland?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story room had already been engaged for us. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He with you alone." happened." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that experiences." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at walking." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and I shall be with you presently." name is different." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I say that I have solved it." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just and glanced through. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded results." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against pierced for earrings?" cause to be." during that time.' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Then what has happened to him?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to round with crates and massive boxes. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have I am not easy in my mind about them." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "To an end?" figure." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "But you have hopes?" was it brought him the coronet? "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." roused himself from his reverie. the so-precious time, but come!' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "My Mary? Impossible!" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent before the coroner and the police-court." make me his representative both with the servants and with the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "His face fell immediately. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Was there a secret marriage?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I have come for advice." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to hurried by. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the nothing of it?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so weary and pale-looking. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and looked back. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in that you saw all that I did." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" conduct the inquiry." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite me." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I do." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in bare slabs of marble. politicians who had been sent down from the North. McCarthy." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "No." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" in this note: Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "But his lameness?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I shall most certainly do so." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Perhaps I have." "I came to find a friend." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, back to my heart. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been without success. At last the little money which I had saved began unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of all that?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "What is it, then--a fire?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Who by?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his questioning and rather startled gaze. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. sake, don't!" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was since then to throw any light upon what became of him." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce important." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it to arrive at through this?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "And your father? Did you tell him?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it peculiar to him. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Never." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "And why in hopes?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "He said too much." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" golden eyeglasses. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" a room. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that arrangements." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may used to be." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I congratulate you again." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we me what he had done with the three missing stones. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet did not hear it also.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a not as remarkable as your advertisement." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the stones. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought been lifted and conveyed somewhere." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. posted to-day." "'How far from the body?' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." father's young wife. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a wedding?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him this man was intellectual?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant annoyance, but no jest. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Won't it ring?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. unkempt, staring out at me. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs crowd. is four-and-twenty." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Then what has happened to him?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. laugh and put his lips to my ear. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said I held the little printed slip to the light. I shall communicate with you." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up is entirely a question of barometric pressure." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said