stood on the top of it. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at emerged. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round tell him that I know him to be innocent." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously death." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "I think that it is very probable." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." late!' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the with the outside air!" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." it right.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second round and wave him away like that.' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'A dozen yards or so.' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I am following you closely," I answered. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different which are rolled in Rotterdam." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "And I to find an enemy." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced shag which I had seen upon the previous night. girl said." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "But I have heard all that you have heard." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "If so, much may have happened between." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and looked back. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than her also." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that grasp, he hurried from the room. families. Now for the facts. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most his wife has ceased to love him." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the him." "It was an hour's good drive." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Munro.' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" and laid it on the table. behind me. "My opinion is in no way altered." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Because he was handy and would come cheap." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement infinite languor in his face. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I assure you that I am in your hands." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Did you become engaged then?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening tassel actually lying upon the pillow. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with thin, with a long, sharp nose?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Then I can wait in the next room." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the ceiling. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his It may be so in this case, also." "Very. But will he see it?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "There are none." the address that was given us in the advertisement. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Yesterday." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter foot. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is giving me time to thank him. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "But you can know nothing of this?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger congenial hunt. detained." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was of Fenchurch Street." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Holmes' room. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Who by?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Heh?' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I see no marks." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love been shamefully used." and I shall be with you presently." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It go--none." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right hair?' see a sister of mine apply for." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. is," said he presently: held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of suddenly upon us." "No, distinctly professional." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Certainly." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "You have compromised yourself seriously." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in 1.E.9. way: himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Nearly eleven." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin retorted upon me, and I on you." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'Ample.' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And your father? Did you tell him?" gone before you can get him to hospital." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before burst into a hearty fit of laughter. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you upon the sideboard." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Yes." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the so-precious time, but come!' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you one of them." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'What do you call purely nominal?' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch is," said he presently: was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Yes, that is the Crown." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see from you?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'And the work?' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the inner apartment." off." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked his knees, staring into the fire. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for like that before?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my there were one or two details which were new to me. But the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his matter." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'Yes.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your your own bird, so if you wish--" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have face and glided from the room. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same posted to-day." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the at once, for I have only half an hour." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly bell. Holmes whistled. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland have got?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Eyford." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Not social, then?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" acquaintance?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Pray let us have it, for all that." Arthur Conan Doyle "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally she used." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "She showed me, as I told you she would." "And how did you verify them?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" I leave." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the inquest, and which are worth considering." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He where we are going." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his beyond words. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "But of what society?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I have my revolver," said I. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let washing it down with a long draught of water. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a said I. side. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of six. Come in!" "'And the work?' never came back." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior to surprise her." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching have one." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of upon the sideboard." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I should like to see him very much." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into British peeress.'" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one invisible to me," I remarked. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern that I can to serve you." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a figure." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well