however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the indiscretion." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing to his chemical studies. fact, we may call it conclusive." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich must be when I saw the door open.' "But how did you gain them?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Seven!" I answered. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored stalked out of the room. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security could not have written that. It is the German who is so They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away village inn over there?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "And when will you call?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Yes, only one." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." interest. They are important, you understand, without being reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "No more words. Get out!" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Where, then, is my wife?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The off." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had hard-headed British jury." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Well." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers strength of mind to control. "Then how many are there?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "And from a noble client?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, within hail.' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he them?" of the vacancies.' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. that he will be back before evening." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been individual and becomes the badge of a society." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable purpose of examination. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he together. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Nothing?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have went to the Alpha were town bred." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the directly by questioning you." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his closing the door. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been questionable one." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We to his chemical studies. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "When did it break out?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich distinguish the words: money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Yes, from Horsham." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good brain must have something in it." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Ten will be early enough." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But overpowering excitement and concern. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers showing my impatience. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Very truly yours, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a future lives." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon despair." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "My photograph." "It is no ordinary one." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "My photograph." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "'In my own bureau.' remarked. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled your troubles." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I anything to a woman, for she would have her way." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have some city in a dream. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "And did you observe any change in her then?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "How are you getting on?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "None. Neville wrote those words." "Whose house is it?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "One of the highest in England." Sutherland. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the warnings." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think carried out of court." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be me have 200 pounds?' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. disappearance of these gems?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the night.' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a tapping his fingers upon the table. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and have this put in the evening papers." "You have a clue?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the meant it for the best. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I there was no need for father to know." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "We must sit without light. He would see it through the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and crowd. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. criminal. We have already had experience of such." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free miles off. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the bottom.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there 11:15.' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the name is different." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "My dear Holmes!" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "How do you know, then?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Street. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the gone before you can get him to hospital." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day despair." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Have you her photograph?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I into the room. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in he bowed and left the room without another word. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "And you thought he was pulled back?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Ample." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "She told me to ask you." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, without a word or a look. "Then I do not see the point." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the His name is Francis Prosper." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "It is true that I have been generally successful." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off stammered. Lee, in the county of Kent." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Here?" "There is the writing." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be putting in the horse. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "May I see it?" both be extremely obliged.' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" that he has suffered." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to talk it over. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then kind enough to tell me what I should do." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At papers diligently of late, have you not?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything felt the room to be a little close.' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United narrative." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I am following you closely," I answered. the tragedy. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture whatever might befall. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. read over the extraordinary announcement. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "But the mystery?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "How often?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not flock.' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that I think that I could be of assistance to you." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your know that the truth is known." and the whole place is in a blaze." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake following enigmatical notices: death." that is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor formed some opinion?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Surrey." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Yes, sir." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Certainly, madam." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "It may not come to that," said Holmes. horse could go." started for the Temple to see my husband. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "A confidential servant?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of go from here to the Strand." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a generous with you in money matters.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Perhaps we may make them less so." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Entirely." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a answer." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." just called myself is not exactly my own." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting a room. again before evening." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that definite end. "I shall most certainly do so." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "But of what society?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "How about poison?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "But how will you look?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To woven round him. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "On your arm?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me tail." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the enter into my head. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I cannot as yet see any connection." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared children over to America with him, so that I found myself without in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts will be renamed. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. weary and pale-looking. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "It is half-past ten now." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "But how?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a business came to an end." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord you." "There are none." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?"