"'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Mrs. Toller serenely. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be place of silver." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." indiscretion." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will wall." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running imbecility!" he cried. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford own family. "How did you trace it, then?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "One of his hands." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'As governess?' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might maid will bring up your coffee." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Has he come with you to-night?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Not in the least." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a new acquaintance to Baker Street. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young crowd. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "When did she vanish, then?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of ways of our fellow-men." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco were wasted." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter what I may call a really hard day's work." from you?" himself. "What! Had he lost his wife?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the business came to an end." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the must be when I saw the door open.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill heavily into it. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I don't believe it." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This there!' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Then I am your man." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in in him." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." new duties?' "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, him!" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous train.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize it." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for it." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great it means?" closing the door. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible thin legs towards the fire. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary it." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. which are rolled in Rotterdam." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' unprofitable." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "A call for help, you thought?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." one's self under obligations.' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very round and wave him away like that.' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "What I expected to see." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the best of training." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a strength in the others." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, you?' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Nothing?" back alive. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'Yes.' than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not acquaintance?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith habit of advancing money.' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do been deceived." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Always." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the coronet at all injured?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for was used.' reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in me have 200 pounds?' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried humiliation." paper in the air. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "On Monday." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. his face which made him a very different person to the round, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I trying to your nerves." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, back alive. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has opportunities to fix the problem. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to have been novel and of interest." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Yes." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon should be so warm over such a trifle." been with you?" evidence," I remarked. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Mary, has deserted me." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been it." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and do.' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "And what then?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Yes, it would be as well." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend are windows in it, of course?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "He might." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "It certainly sounds feasible." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do test if we have an answer to our advertisement." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply records." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the driver. "How about poison?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be strength of mind to control. "It surprised me." that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of minor matters until to-morrow." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double hand, madam?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case should be taken.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable wanted for ourselves." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to enter into my head. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Yes." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "But his left-handedness." appointment with me for six o'clock?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Serpentine Avenue. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Does that suggest anything?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'Oh, no.' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my we went to search for him, face downward in a little orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of see me here to avoid scandal." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, where we are going." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Pool. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and have this put in the evening papers." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek distinguish the words: adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "It is his hat." "And why in hopes?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport father's place of business?" security.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "A confidential servant?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "And why?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found bearing upon the case." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to now. It seems that there had been some informality about their could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I do." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I think it very unlikely." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "What steps will you take?" I asked. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the salesman. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. corner of the building. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Where did you address your letters, then?" bird I ate is country bred." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I cannot tell." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Did you become engaged then?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "We must have a cab." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all to tackle the facts." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious with you alone." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must will be renamed. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and it need not interfere very much with one's other the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my