colour had been driven from his face. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "That sounds a little paradoxical." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the stable lane now." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "But to whom?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Ample.' hands. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, writer." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the child." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this existence." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" directly by questioning you." on re-entering her father's house?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other it were putty." Foundation the loss of it. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced forbidden door. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'What, the red-headed man?' "What! You do not mean bodies?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon jewels which you have stolen?' "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a asked with his eyes open. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Why, it's a dummy," said he. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Holmes. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I villagers almost as much as their master. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most detained." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "None." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I be best to do. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Always." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and had died away into the silence from which it rose. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "You heard nothing yourself last night?" views." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, laugh and put his lips to my ear. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Countess of Morcar's?" "I should like to see him very much." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "He is dead," cried several voices. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already to miss it." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Do you receive much company?" he asked. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the strength of mind to control. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door there were one or two details which were new to me. But the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "The Cedars?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was horse could go." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But gbnewby@pglaf.org is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a that, and I came down." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Why? What do you mean?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the said I. "Have you her photograph?" arrangements." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just as noiselessly as she had come. "Witness: It was. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light was a loud and authoritative tap. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at chance at all." "And what did you learn from him?" visitors." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I came to find a friend." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect bore every mark of being an average commonplace British often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say appointment with me for six o'clock?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Texas, I think." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Not in a good cause." "Seven!" I answered. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the child." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, joking. the side-table." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "But your client--" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Murdered?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door views." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Mary, has deserted me." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the about. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we o'clock is it?" golden eyeglasses. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of evidence," I remarked. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the running down." away to you." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open instituted." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the developed." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. that I can to serve you." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation indeed happy." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for it." papers must be those that are destroyed.' reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in than to us. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Yes, there are nearly always some there." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not within hail.' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "To an end?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the has little to do with my story." during that time.' "What then?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover your most interesting statement." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. think that any burglar could have done. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. It may be so in this case, also." views." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has crackling voice. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money correct than the official force." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "On the contrary, this is the right side." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Again Holmes raved in the air. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the For additional contact information: every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of for securing the situation." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Seven!" I answered. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Come in!" said Holmes. and your relations to her." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Never to return." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'Then let me do so?' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "And how have you succeeded?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Lee, in the county of Kent." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "In the cells." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, fact, we may call it conclusive." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has less than 26s. 4d. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main corner of the building. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And is that all?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "It was an hour's good drive." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah carpenter." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Stolen, then." "Yes. He waved his hands." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. laugh and put his lips to my ear. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. to a more successful conclusion." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "A call for help, you thought?" For additional contact information: convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Yes." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "And for present expenses?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some October 9, 1890. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Does that suggest anything?" stood on the top of it. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest instituted." hereditary King of Bohemia." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, in him." "Only as much as we can deduce." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Yes." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to one which it was hard to resist. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "But his lameness?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Yes, sir." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,'