next day. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when about. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the loss of it. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and bill, which interests me deeply." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Where is it, then?" humiliation." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right you for a few hours?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the side-table." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me late!' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "A confidential servant?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently disappearance of these gems?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which in my life." British peeress.'" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Certainly, madam." "Yes, that is the Crown." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "What, then, did Peterson do?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns was it brought him the coronet? "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Frequently." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in handed it to him. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat and a shock of very red hair. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at since then to throw any light upon what became of him." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "What do you make of that, Watson?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Will you bet, then?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your he. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a help us in this matter." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your geese which you supplied to the Alpha." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Then I shall certainly come." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is placed his cuttings. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. becomes even more simple." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and security.' "'Stolen!' he cried. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" for its centre. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been back to my heart. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent standing smiling on the door-step. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and suspect him." his wife has ceased to love him." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you upon the white wrist. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were signal between you and your father? nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton handed it to him. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was think that any burglar could have done. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You have a clue?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an unprecedented a position." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Project Gutenberg-tm works. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Pool. forehead. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And what did you see?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is skylight. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Did you observe the colour?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Then what has happened to him?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office this man was intellectual?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become me have 200 pounds?' contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate highly," said Holmes. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Leadenhall Street--and--" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to upon a handsome competence. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the made him keep the appointment." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "My photograph." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my hard-headed British jury." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "You forget that I know nothing about it." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "That is easily got." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the forehead. hair?' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Yes." wedding?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that orange pips. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you miles off. "Nothing." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the our word." quite distinctive." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Watson," he said cordially. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Yes, but only for you and me." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'And the work?' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Has he come with you to-night?" "No." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of upon a handsome competence. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must I approached. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is that you wished to speak to me?' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'Very good.' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," straighten it?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "What?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all points to suicide?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit excitement. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have weigh very heavily upon my conscience." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from night.' said he. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Stolen." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "No legal papers or certificates?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near stalked out of the room. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'And the work?' his face. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he populous neighbourhood." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You have it, sir, just as it happened." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "No, I had a dozen." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's note?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Indeed! Whose, then?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase late." placed his cuttings. "I am in hopes that she does." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." unkempt, staring out at me. "I cannot think." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the 'please.'" Surrey." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Nothing?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so train from Paddington which would bring you there at about too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from had picked up in the wood. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked I took the paper from him and read as follows: his face which made him a very different person to the round, "In the cells." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Again Holmes raved in the air. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I say it is." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases yourselves in at night?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at himself. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'Certainly not. But why?' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'Certainly,' I answered. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Who was the criminal, then?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'Certainly not. But why?' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the fatally injured? "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Thank you. And your address?" "And is that all?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed views." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the side-table." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "It must be recovered." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, stepfather?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell letters?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a go from here to the Strand." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to was a loud and authoritative tap. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and meant it for the best. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. States. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. think, you have already met." "Texas, I think." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, business matters.' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's individual and becomes the badge of a society." orange pips. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute guilty one." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and