of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. infinite languor in his face. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old me upon any point which I do not make clear." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to people don't know." "Yes." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'Certainly not.' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "And Miss Sutherland?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that them?" "I say that I have solved it." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this woman." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to was used.' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked down in his armchair and closing his eyes. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "And when will you call?" "You think so, too?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit absorbing." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "You are certainly joking, Holmes." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and the whole place is in a blaze." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old companion imperturbably. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "To ruin me." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "About a month then." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United situation." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, in this way: after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in he bowed and left the room without another word. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of peculiar to him. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Yes, certainly." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "What can it mean?" I gasped. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Not I." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "And you can do nothing until then?" "'Entirely.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the where she found matters as described by the last witness. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless not personally threatened." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "The Coroner: What do you mean? broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "But she could not love him." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Seven!" I answered. roused himself from his reverie. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all bled considerably." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Is 4 pounds a week.' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door article?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last said he, "my real name is James Ryder." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it even of instruction." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the so-precious time, but come!' ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with will not take me long to tell. formed some opinion?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Who by?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Where to?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I cannot tell." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Yes, from Horsham." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the stammered. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I have hopes." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "'Ten to two.' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and him nearly every evening." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "And why?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously indiscretion." "'Yes, sir.' X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Nearly eleven." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some passage and a tap at the door. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a until night should bring an explanation. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. his wife has ceased to love him." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my chemical work which was so dear to him. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Dr. Becher's." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I should like to see him very much." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." shoulder; "he's all right." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two for the market.' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'Why that?' I asks. someone who had been in Australia." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Thank you. And your address?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." fattened it expressly for you.' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'Never.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to matter." mystery may be cleared along those lines." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I would pay ten." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker go back?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far His smile broadened. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Your sister is dead, then?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I should wish to." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused this poor creature." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a secret." before the coroner and the police-court." suddenly upon us." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "And how did you find out?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure noble correspondent could be. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater help us in this matter." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four you give your casting vote to?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better dear old homesteads?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." brandy and water within his reach. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask leaning back in his chair. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his you, my dear young lady?' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by guilty one." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true business?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera It was close upon four before the door opened, and a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right The summons was a brief and urgent one. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "She told me to ask you." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and room. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "But your client--" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Arthur Conan Doyle was feeling which was the fattest.' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be highly," said Holmes. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered than was visible to me." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his relief. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I know where it is." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main 1.E.9. companion imperturbably. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which had formerly been in part my own. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I would pay ten." not fit the lock." answered with a sidelong glance. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the individual and becomes the badge of a society." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Literary Archive Foundation gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Your French gold?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average any little problem which you may submit to me." "My own seal." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your may have an influence upon European history." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as success. "And your father? Did you tell him?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove public press." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he 1.F. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Stolen." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting my former friend and companion. "But what harm can there be in that?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" rooms." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the crowd. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should room. good for you to do.' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let newspaper selections." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is legal crime." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried this poor creature." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "But what is it you wish?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is you?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the sparkled upon his finger. "No bad?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the dangers which encompass me." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he me. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. on re-entering her father's house?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting you." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Entirely." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really province." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "By train from Waterloo." done what I asked you, Jones?" business at Coburg Square is serious." suddenly upon us." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "And how?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "There is the writing." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'I have heard so.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was giving me time to thank him. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my take the flies, but not before." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Do you know him?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. than to us. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "It came here."