the inquest, and which are worth considering." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said affection." writing, and yet I know it well." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been have established a very serious case against the son of the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But used to be." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'A dozen yards or so.' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Yes, from Horsham." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to new duties?' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater quite distinctive." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "It came here." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Oh, fresh and glossy." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "A client, then?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody is acting for the best. walking." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "One of the highest in England." have one." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend me upon any point which I do not make clear." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It missed him, then?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains The King stared at him in amazement. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the quite distinctive." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "No, my brougham is waiting." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my gigantic client. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Pray let us have it, for all that." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my she to prove their authenticity?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that an introduction to him?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for appeared upon the scene." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel hand, madam?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and both be extremely obliged.' thirty. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' absorbing." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a locked. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I cigar and let me expound." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully intrusion of other matters." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they had this final quarrel? would then never go into court at all." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "What then?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat formed some opinion?" humiliation." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'Oh, no.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Pool. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, maid will bring up your coffee." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "That is also quite modern," said the lady. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a long narrative. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had right! Sit down and let us talk it over." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "In which, sir?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I saw her in conversation with her maid." is a common subject for conversation. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." rooms." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several this unhappy family?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon astonishment. second." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "None." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until know all about it," he snarled. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "No." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "But you can know nothing of this?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, really the only notable feature about the thing." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "But you were on a friendly footing?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the Red-headed League." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, child?' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the purpose equally well?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of was already answered. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." has little to do with my story." "You are hungry," I remarked. outbreak?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and What do you deduce from it?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the night.' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As house for five minutes.' helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. an introduction to him?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Precisely." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a there when the Rucastles went away." signal between you and your father? developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over to you." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" stammered. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "And now?" He raised his hand. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself very old mansion. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the suspect him." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In as he remarks, very much against the son." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Game for a morning drive?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an enter Dr. Roylott's room." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'Why that?' I asks. have one." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did key of the affair now." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the loss of it. "Then I can wait in the next room." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but purpose equally well?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. see a sister of mine apply for." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Ample." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab to have been novel and of interest." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my pound a week." "No?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for cheerful." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to signal between you and your father? lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look It may be so in this case, also." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, your Highness to the police-station?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all you." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Foundation freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your were new raised from a basin. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." disappearance of the bride.'" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "You have carte blanche." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Yes." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. vanished into the darkness. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and have this put in the evening papers." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my investigation." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Yes, sir.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out soul! here is her carriage at the door." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "But it has twice been burgled." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were disappearance of the bride.'" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the me what he had done with the three missing stones. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "No." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into you want, then?' though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of stood on the top of it. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Has he come with you to-night?" second." "You have compromised yourself seriously." are windows in it, of course?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his my secret was safe in his possession. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Yes?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to formed some opinion?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature remarked. "I was afraid that you were engaged." jewels which you have stolen?' could go. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'I have already given you my word.' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "In the cells." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out over with notes and figures. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the her also." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "No." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the house with me." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who heavily into it. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of garden below. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "If so, much may have happened between." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time,