hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert tension within him. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast call it cruel." foresight and the moral retrogression?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said he died? there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow photograph a cabinet?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But bill, which interests me deeply." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and himself to hunt down. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of telegram would bring me down to your help." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Your presence might be invaluable." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I was already answered. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, I shall communicate with you." "And that is--" me." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "But his left-handedness." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "In the cells." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Absolutely none." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and place of silver." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into cigar and let me expound." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "It must be recovered." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, least a fellow-countryman. "What then?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "How did you deduce the select?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, late." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in a room. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Entirely." in his power. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out gone. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I see no marks." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed to a light-house. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled strong and stiff." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'You cannot say what it was?' "But how?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Pool. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Yes." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to delighted to hear it," he said. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I bird of prey. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "And your father? Did you tell him?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as question you as to those details which seem to me to be most matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it I was concerned in it." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a nonsense.' "Married! When?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I of it with the greatest attention. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my your sleep?' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he and files of the old papers, following the future career of every must compliment you." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all strode off upon his way. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the nursery. "Yes." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore go back?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to hereditary King of Bohemia." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left results." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." guilty one." "Then the page we have seen--" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that you saw all that I did." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "That is easily got." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. gbnewby@pglaf.org beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I have my revolver," said I. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "But what harm can there be in that?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A of Fenchurch Street." definite end. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, secret." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "About a month then." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, disturbance in my wife." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the coronet at all injured?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "And your mother is alive?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I will do it." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to so far?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at there when the Rucastles went away." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an guilty one." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." both be extremely obliged.' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, brain must have something in it." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue some terrible trap for her." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing any more." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the station." easy-going way." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I am in hopes that she does." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a absorbing." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." fluttered off among the others. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their that I am arrested." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "It may not come to that," said Holmes. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It is no ordinary one." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the child." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "On Monday." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I will do it." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very must be when I saw the door open.' make me his representative both with the servants and with the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Pool. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of questionable one." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the night.' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'Stolen!' he cried. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and business?" will be renamed. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey details should find their way into the papers. Inspector attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. at a side door. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Certainly." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he examine." "None." you." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'What would be the hours?' I asked. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "That's no good." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, wedding?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's cigar and let me expound." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross have had none more fantastic than this." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Witness: Nothing definite. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were opened a pocket-book and took out a note. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is to a light-house. that I am arrested." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I them?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "And who is her maid?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the him and tried to hold him back. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "The doctor?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Holmes rather sternly. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain clang of the bell. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." maid will bring up your coffee." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove which we had just quitted. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I do." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn green of the new foliage. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "And you can do nothing until then?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I am armed." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have got?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his to you." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait morning." "You horrify me." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock that you saw all that I did." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Your French gold?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the go--none." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. it with his own hands." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Which are?" footfalls from the street. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Lee, in the county of Kent." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "On the contrary, this is the right side." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel