"Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good his grey eyes. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." future lives." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Heh?' hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated row." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "A greater distance to travel." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." was a perfect sample of the class. "'And the work?' "I am to be neutral?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still cheerful." noble correspondent could be. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I will not look." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography not, dad?" she asked. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Countess of Morcar's?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "And I." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a together. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free notes," he said. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "So I heard. You have him here?" it means?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "In heaven's name, what for?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. face and glided from the room. chill to my heart. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that which we had just quitted. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker investigation." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." note?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I see no marks." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "But she will refuse." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Watson," he said cordially. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office bore every mark of being an average commonplace British might help us?" bare slabs of marble. some city in a dream. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Stoke Moran." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson carriage. It was a chestnut." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the Red-headed League." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "A greater distance to travel." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "So I have heard." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." in this note: the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." status with the IRS. might have a private word with us. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'Then let me do so?' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms fasten all the windows?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'No, I know no one in these parts.' upon a handsome competence. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Leadenhall Street--and--" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had instituted." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the heavily into it. go back?" which was all perfectly true. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "An accident, I presume?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did was keenly on my guard against him. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your get her out of the way." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "And your father? Did you tell him?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I think that it is very probable." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Will you bet, then?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I intrusion of other matters." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he went to the Alpha were town bred." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, formed some opinion?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as weary and pale-looking. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed really the only notable feature about the thing." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon to me. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the address that was given us in the advertisement. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Quite so. She has her freedom." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door you came in." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "But I am all in the dark." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, pictures, libraries, or plate. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "You did not overhear what they said?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Leadenhall Street--and--" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "We were both in the photograph." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. crime. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "And I to find an enemy." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold crowd. criminal. We have already had experience of such." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "It missed him, then?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'Yes, sir.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "But the mystery?" o'clock is it?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the bears upon the case?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his in a very precise fashion." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "He might." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect mystery!" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Serpentine Avenue. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which important." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." her also." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he present." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second think that any burglar could have done. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." other, as fresh and trim as possible. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that anything to a woman, for she would have her way." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I am sure." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in friend's singular character. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is indeed which he could not unravel. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham call the police, let the police find what they can.' was a loud and authoritative tap. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of maiden herself was most instructive." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It was an hour's good drive." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know desk. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "That is also quite modern," said the lady. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Have you it here?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in leave you to your papers for a little." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Pope's Court. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of at a side door. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'What then?' I asked. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an despaired of." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "What is it, then--a fire?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "But how will you look?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Where is it, then?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which is," said he presently: and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one asked. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master politicians who had been sent down from the North. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Then he might have called to you?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it in the port of London." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of hereditary King of Bohemia." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of page at http://pglaf.org It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "There are none." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Well, but China?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I am to be neutral?" "Never." union?" yourselves in at night?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I place, I think that there is good ground to think that the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "And sit in the dark?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature wedding?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I in one or two places in England?' "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now second." off." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' meant it for the best. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if