ceremony." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "On the contrary, this is the right side." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Then you may entirely rely on me." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Arthur Conan Doyle "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "But you have hopes?" photograph?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a about. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had During two years I have had three consultations and one small error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the late!' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, mysterious end." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with conduct the inquiry." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the Red-headed League." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham ways of our fellow-men." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "By no means." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Yes." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a made him keep the appointment." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'As governess?' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were yourselves in at night?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and gives a meaning to it." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'Is purely nominal.' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, assist you in forming an opinion." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My companion quietly. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "No, my brougham is waiting." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Is 4 pounds a week.' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next matter." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is for its centre. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the stable lane now." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case crowd. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if child?' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking business came to an end." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Yes." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, introspective fashion. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to have had none more fantastic than this." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "And for present expenses?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had dates and names. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which them present such singular features as the strange train of "My dear Holmes!" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Pray let us have it, for all that." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have in this note: at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The cigars in the box." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is papers diligently of late, have you not?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can October 9, 1890. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I will try. What is it?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted populous neighbourhood." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Yes. He waved his hands." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Perfectly so." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "9th. McCauley cleared. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting had died away into the silence from which it rose. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So from you?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "And I." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her helping a boy to put up the shutters. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that nights." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." hard-headed British jury." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "You don't mind breaking the law?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Yes." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the page at http://pglaf.org "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Why did you beat the pavement?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches points to suicide?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and glanced through. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "And I." invisible to me," I remarked. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it towards the blaze. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the My friend smiled. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. but preventing her from injuring another. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "That was it, sir." a very grave face. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Texas, I think." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am had picked up in the wood. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I cannot as yet see any connection." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was and the church but not where the lady lived." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a of receipt of the work. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the overpowering excitement and concern. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I should be immensely obliged to you." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the date of his supposed suicide." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the carpenter." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six promised to bring home. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I am all attention, madam." Where does the thing come from?' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, correct than the official force." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Mary, has deserted me." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours until night should bring an explanation. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Witness: It was. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Oh, no.' character. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or correct than the official force." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I came to find a friend." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the dangers which encompass me." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Come in!" said he. "Yes." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora voice. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at dear old homesteads?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I don't believe it." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the window, rose as we entered. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I will try. What is it?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "By no means." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold murdered man." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't married her." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my straighten it?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove tapping his fingers upon the table. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "And how did he make his money?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the King without delay." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to that open window." heavy and sharp instrument." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked appointment with me for six o'clock?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties was shining brightly. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the was lame." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "You have compromised yourself seriously." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for ashen face. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Frequently." "Never." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Yes, there are nearly always some there." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future right! Sit down and let us talk it over." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Nothing." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the may have an influence upon European history." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my careless servant girl?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which business?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "BALLARAT." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And Miss Sutherland?" one of the states of the Union." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "That's no good." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "A confidential servant?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Not particularly." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands."