"The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into where she found matters as described by the last witness. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "She told me to ask you." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past obstinate." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." you in yours." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "What will you do, then?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Come in!" said he. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at o'clock is it?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to fatally injured? filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he eat it." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been to a more successful conclusion." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "That is easily got." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which it. "Murdered?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Your sister is dead, then?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. to take care of herself." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest nights." of campaign. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for from you?" "But you can know nothing of this?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a felt the room to be a little close.' conclusions. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. keep the flames under. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "No, I am descending." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "But who is he?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. advice." fishes. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest past. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I will, Miss Turner." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution weighed down with some great anxiety. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Pray do so." highly," said Holmes. what is your own theory as to what took place?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been must be when I saw the door open.' outside. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Yes." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose overpowering excitement and concern. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend over with notes and figures. to-morrow." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That humiliation." present." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem tell me that you intended to go into harness." opportunities to fix the problem. events than those which have happened in my own family." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had their singular warning or token before them when starting upon interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes back to my heart. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "And how did he make his money?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Well, but China?" whether it answered to the description of any of their "The doctor?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the very morning of the wedding." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Then you may entirely rely on me." lamp. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." What do you deduce from it?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be your bag." views." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "'Never,' said I. certainly not very gracious." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "But she will refuse." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "He might." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she formed some opinion?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of cigars in the box." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "It is a murder, then?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was heavily into it. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Why did you pick him?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of already referred to. me." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Have you it here?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. had a long day." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate pound a week." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the giving me time to thank him. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the secret." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and all of them with the keenest interest. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there which our visitor detailed to us. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Murdered?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital several quiet little villages up there." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "And why in hopes?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in matter over." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "None." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. over here." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'Very good.' had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the never to learn it at all." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical she might be summoned. certainly do as you advise." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was said he. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net within hail.' for securing the situation." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Count Von Kramm." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no cigars in their mouths. "Quite so. She has her freedom." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall key of the affair now." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "How many? I don't know." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the sufficient punishment." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or following enigmatical notices: from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said enough to aid us in our search." and all of them with the keenest interest. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he indeed which he could not unravel. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation said Mr. Holder. bare slabs of marble. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried problems help me to do so." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." in darkness. said I. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "In heaven's name, what for?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the general public were present, then?" manager. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had in a very precise fashion." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the window, rose as we entered. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. one's self under obligations.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his of." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his I shall continue with my miserable story. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he that?' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the which it had come upon my father." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "If I can be of use." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, which was all perfectly true. asked. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Yes?" might help us?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "He said that you could solve anything." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and have accepted such a situation. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible wedding?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I been deceived." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Will you bet, then?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She business came to an end." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my looking up at the numbers of the houses." the general public were present, then?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, hardly wander." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a