and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe pound a week." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'Oh, no.' "Never to return." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Not social, then?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in an introduction to him?" derbies." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, thirty. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to together. "I will try. What is it?" nonsense.' repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, next day. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a stammered. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a made his money." "Yes, I have one waiting." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced as yours." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "At the wedding breakfast." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "No, distinctly professional." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My might help us?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "And that is--" most interesting one." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Well, it is a possible supposition." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'What do you call purely nominal?' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I have come for advice." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the Friday. Was it to be in church?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey roused himself from his reverie. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. have not had my rubber." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent politicians who had been sent down from the North. newspaper selections." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "To an English lawyer named Norton." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "But who is he?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I came to find a friend." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the bed, and you in that chair." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." fait accompli?" once more for Briony Lodge. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the south-west, I see." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "No." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "On the contrary, this is the right side." compunction about shooting them down." "That also I could fathom." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood 11:15.' which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Can I be of assistance?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as letters?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I cannot think." coat-tails." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Come in!" said he. and laid it on the table. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the best of training." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'What do you call purely nominal?' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to read over the extraordinary announcement. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Pool. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "But you can know nothing of this?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" approach us with offers to donate. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "They are typewritten," I remarked. pound a week." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "She showed me, as I told you she would." against a man in the prime of life?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Well, it is a possible supposition." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of seven miles from Eyford Station.' "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent with you alone." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your arms and began to sob in a high treble key. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' forbidden door. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in You want to know what became of those geese?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I easy-going way." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon children over to America with him, so that I found myself without one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside was shining brightly. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man indeed which he could not unravel. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he orange pips. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter is," said he presently: Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'Very good.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "You horrify me." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent written. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "The gentleman I describe." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the house for five minutes.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to compunction about shooting them down." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version crowd. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Get out!" said he. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Have you good authority for what you say?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Whose house is it?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life I held the little printed slip to the light. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" matter." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is think, you have already met." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Where did you address your letters, then?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' tell them apart.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think them, and came down just as you departed. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "It is very kind of you." certainly do as you advise." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office quite distinctive." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob throat." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made tassel actually lying upon the pillow. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You saw the ventilator, too?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more there is a decided draught." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "My Mary? Impossible!" hour?' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and already referred to. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his so.' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "She told me to ask you." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "The vanishing of the lady." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I cigar and let me expound." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "It is possible." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my chance at all." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he hands. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady of Mr. Rucastle's." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, towards the blaze. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the Red-headed League." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of straighten it?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place sooner or later she must fall a victim. golden eyeglasses. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." directly by questioning you." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of chambers. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Really! You surprise me." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "But you have hopes?" indeed which he could not unravel. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have intimate personal affairs in this public manner." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and wait." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I say it is." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back to a light-house. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and tell them apart.' "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "How many? I don't know." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" you." "Entirely." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he to have that photograph." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to see a sister of mine apply for." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this