pierced for earrings?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the house for five minutes.' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point your co-operation." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Will you go?" "On Monday." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Henry Baker is a member." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his advice." guilty parties." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Yes?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to families. Now for the facts. "Yes." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Yes." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in empty. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening rooms." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "9th. McCauley cleared. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' and all of them with the keenest interest. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the coronet in his hand?" "Why, what do you mean?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the inner apartment." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I beg pardon." DISSOLVED. to some other building. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so character. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which shadow pass over his face as I spoke. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this triumphant cloud from his cigarette. that he has suffered." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of me where it went to?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a London for the present?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Do you go out much in society?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary disturbance in my wife." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This once more on the important position which you have been fortunate dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid becomes even more simple." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best good for you to do.' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." locked. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the matter?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "But how will you look?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was wanted for ourselves." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had appeared upon the scene." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a breakfast?" "Her father is very rich?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Very much so." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the morning." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers away to you." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in as he remarks, very much against the son." strong reason behind." observed. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Really! You surprise me." are, I think, all that we need." Sutherland?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off it." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The about. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly writers could invent nothing more crude." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "That also I could fathom." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And your father? Did you tell him?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You will not go there first?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other it." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "I will, Miss Turner." lumber-room." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned take the flies, but not before." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "It was." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "That is easily got." "And why?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. undoubtedly my uncle's." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now evidence," I remarked. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to which are rolled in Rotterdam." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. him to be an active member of the medical profession." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you have I gained?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a such person." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any strange features which were associated with the two crimes which have been better. It is all right." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about hurried by. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the himself to hunt down. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between true." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience down from London to inquire more deeply into it." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "But how could you guess what the motive was?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'What, the red-headed man?' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the whole matter to your consideration." handed it to him. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked cup of tea. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the fishes. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "To an English lawyer named Norton." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Pray let us have it, for all that." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." companion quietly. "From his hat?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day brandy and water within his reach. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "That you are never beaten." "But his left-handedness." "But she will refuse." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "But she could not love him." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it present strange and interesting features that it is no easy hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "No." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "We must have a cab." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a fire. You quite follow me?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations fuss that is made over them." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Did you observe the colour?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And you don't know his address?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a strong reason behind." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Do you go out much in society?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of will not take me long to tell. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Then how many are there?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the ceiling. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was meant." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it simple cases which are so extremely difficult." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "By no means." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to views." are, I think, all that we need." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched existence." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe humiliation." you?' "I think it very unlikely." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he you want, then?' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. arrested. You then--" companion. "Yes." galvanised. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be swore that no one else had been in the front room during the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Why did you beat the pavement?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten to-morrow." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "From his hat?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold three of the beryls in it, was missing. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Ten will be early enough." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical likely to be some crony of the landlady's." beg that you will break it off." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a During two years I have had three consultations and one small Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help cigars in their mouths. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son lamp in his hand. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is whole matter to your consideration." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock front of me. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Witness: Nothing definite. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'And what salary do you ask?' looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "No, my brougham is waiting." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face made him keep the appointment." you." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible said Mr. Holder. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "It is half-past ten now." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "The gentleman I describe." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was pound a week." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "How are you getting on?" in a friendly supper." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a should be taken.' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so writers could invent nothing more crude." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We disappearance of the bride.'" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered have accepted such a situation. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is and a shock of very red hair. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was and prosperity to your house. Good-night." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his in one or two places in England?' have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me burst out into a roar of laughter. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and