"I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have crowd. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "In heaven's name, what for?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This thin legs towards the fire. were wasted." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, them, and came down just as you departed. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "By no means." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little events, Mr. Windibank!" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Entirely." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the o'clock is it?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "What then?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a breakfast." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'Then let me do so?' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "I cannot as yet see any connection." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "None." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have got?" Literary Archive Foundation "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "And did you observe any change in her then?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would eat it." round with crates and massive boxes. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Quite so." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, room had already been engaged for us. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Ah!" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a is," said he presently: hereditary King of Bohemia." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of hour?' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in out." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's conversation I have gathered that they have been married about made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round have had none more fantastic than this." and effective." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "It was a confession," I ejaculated. at my own good fortune. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through a good hundred miles off by now." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "What do you make of that, Watson?" Countess of Morcar's?" standing smiling on the door-step. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "You don't mind breaking the law?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Thank you. Pray proceed." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such front of the hall door has given its name to the place. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried back into the street. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking are, I think, all that we need." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most generous with you in money matters.' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and that you saw all that I did." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a again." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of round with crates and massive boxes. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you felt the room to be a little close.' so.' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at to-morrow." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture points to suicide?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "You horrify me." The events in question occurred in the early days of my door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" go--none." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. his fortune, and I went back to pa. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was you found me to-night--and running through the front room she feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew will be renamed. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "A greater distance to travel." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Did he not advertise?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Arthur Conan Doyle confronted him. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Indeed! Whose, then?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the bearing upon the case." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of empty. "Well, it is a possible supposition." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of see me here to avoid scandal." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long dead, shall be safe with us." eavesdroppers?' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Well, it is a possible supposition." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect late." fasten all the windows?" unkempt, staring out at me. Sutherland. "My private note-paper." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak nice household for a young lady." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Proceed, then." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "By all means." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Where is it, then?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I cannot imagine." light and attacked it." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem your troubles." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any husband's writing, madam." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Have you her photograph?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to following enigmatical notices: Foundation It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good think that any burglar could have done. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and six. Come in!" all?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish reach." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them that before taking the final step I should like to submit the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil there." written, and locked the door of the office after me. take the flies, but not before." "'You cannot say what it was?' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "My private note-paper." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "One of the highest in England." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I was certainly surprised to find you there." own family. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience her also." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "But the mystery?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I helping a boy to put up the shutters. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down over with notes and figures. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a my special province." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said money should be paid at once.' stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no in this note: then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said The telegram which we eventually received came late one night ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly crime." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Stoke Moran?" said he. the nursery. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She question," said Holmes, smiling. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Yes, it would be as well." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies there were so many in the whole country as were brought together in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I do." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "And who is her maid?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." as noiselessly as she had come. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we your bag." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being his wife has ceased to love him." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said been." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the stable lane now." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Precisely." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy one or two very singular points about this room. For example, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I don't believe it." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Eh? What was that?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking breakfast." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "The murder was done with it." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I shall most certainly do so." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Married! When?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker go back?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until asked with his eyes open. "A call for help, you thought?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for see a sister of mine apply for." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was a good hundred miles off by now." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "So I have heard." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the whether it answered to the description of any of their "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has opened the door, and slipped through. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Nothing." "'Why that?' I asks. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the inner apartment." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who salesman. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps lost his Christmas dinner." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Mrs. Toller serenely. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child this truth that in these little records of our cases which you said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for speckled band?" "'Which dealer's?' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Yesterday." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "That is also quite modern," said the lady. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Deserted you?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "You are all wrong." to you." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us dear old homesteads?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness death." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'In my own bureau.' "What can it mean?" I gasped. "The landlord of the Alpha." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. joking. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an burst out into a roar of laughter. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united behind me. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, forbidden door. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "What! Had he lost his wife?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was residence of the great financier. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I horse could go." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "It missed him, then?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or he. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the