"There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, head. So long, then!" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Where to?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, dramatic, in fact." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' that?' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me in him." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband woven round him. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Holmes' room. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came mystery may be cleared along those lines." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Nearly eleven." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are despaired of." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Ah!" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "On Monday." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'It is locked up,' I answered. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "None." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "He might." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His whereabouts. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Stolen, then." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "If I can be of use." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Holmes rather sternly. that?' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were occurred." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Perhaps we may make them less so." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Dr. Becher's." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "ARAT," I read. and I shall be with you presently." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I will not look." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, questioning and rather startled gaze. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between DISSOLVED. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in hour." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to change my dress. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for jewels which you have stolen?' been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "And what then?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in thought that she would have been so carried away." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Of what?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced some place of shelter and let the county police know what has little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts just ask you whether you had heard it.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, she might be summoned. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called you, my dear young lady?' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened second window is the one that I jumped from." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "And why?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Frequently." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in front of the hall door has given its name to the place. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Of what?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, wall." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of certainly do as you advise." "And for present expenses?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of business." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I will do it." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I say it is." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events notes," he said. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I answered that I had not. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "This photograph!" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Pool. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of learned something! Where are the gems?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "10th. John Swain cleared. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'Is purely nominal.' "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who cigars in the box." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. photograph a cabinet?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to ago." keep the flames under. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "She told me to ask you." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the coronet in his hand?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "And how?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of crime." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, then?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I am in hopes that she does." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Pope's Court. me have 200 pounds?' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "No more words. Get out!" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first means taking possession of that which another person has a prior name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Why did you pick him?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "What!" he roared. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of door?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when handed it to him. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window down from London to inquire more deeply into it." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End with you alone." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are nonsense.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, than was visible to me." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's morning." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I speckled band?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have closely." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such leaning back in his chair. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really to-night?' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet hour?' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. at once, for I have only half an hour." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'You doubt its value?' he asked. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Texas, I think." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that recall any case within my experience which looked at the first and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for you?' desk. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the coronet in his hand?" "Here?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the voice, changing her seat as requested. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Yes, that is the Crown." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Not him." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept never came back." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation that he will be back before evening." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or indeed happy." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the loss of it. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you spare." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "And what did you see?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's least a fellow-countryman. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the locked." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the inquest, and which are worth considering." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact indiscretion." this Miss Turner." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination so far?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my passage and a tap at the door. "Precisely." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this is a common subject for conversation. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb introspective fashion. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing strength in the others." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should not, dad?" she asked. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'Yes.' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask telegram would bring me down to your help." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "The best possible." photograph?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7