"Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly telegram would bring me down to your help." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and been with you?" "I was mad--insane." of Mr. Rucastle's." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I think it very unlikely." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; said he, "my real name is James Ryder." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "BALLARAT." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do that I am arrested." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I cannot imagine." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "And is that all?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "On your arm?" suddenly upon us." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" arrested. You then--" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, distinguish the words: "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I am to be neutral?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found information in his hands the value of which he did not himself no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any you found me to-night--and running through the front room she persecution?" exactly what you advise." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Yes?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Oh, fresh and glossy." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" placed his cuttings. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." words came to my lips. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the morning and make my own way in the world.' nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten You want to know what became of those geese?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well side. cigars in their mouths. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Oh, fresh and glossy." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "And how have you succeeded?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I leave." done what I asked you, Jones?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Not in the least." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he fashion which was peculiar to him. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, I held the little printed slip to the light. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with would then never go into court at all." "I was afraid that you were engaged." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. at a side door. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or tightly behind him. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten whole matter to your consideration." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that to-night." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I assure you that I am in your hands." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "You did not overhear what they said?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. "What I expected to see." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for distinguish the words: "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have said I. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated row." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. a monotonous occupation." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "It was an hour's good drive." man. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Nothing." "This concluded the examination of the witness." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "He said too much." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "You horrify me." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it out." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and said I. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "This concluded the examination of the witness." Street. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I written. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two she might be summoned. him!" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked drawing your inferences." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes States. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" coroner's jury." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I approached. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Yes." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. and wait." I took the paper from him and read as follows: general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, take the flies, but not before." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically matters immensely." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself my secret was safe in his possession. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with said I. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "That's no good." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. maiden herself was most instructive." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Where, then, is my wife?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. fear." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little matter." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Lee, in the county of Kent." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I DAMAGE. ashen face. me. You must get home instantly and act." do." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "This photograph!" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few presented more singular features than that which was associated heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael constraint." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and The note was undated, and without either signature or address. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded will take you up to see the machine.' "Can I be of assistance?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Yes." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior leaning back in his chair. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed flock.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, night.' said he. unkempt, staring out at me. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "On Monday." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would three fields round his house, and there he would take his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and an introduction to him?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free examination of the premises, but without finding anything which was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "How often?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "So I have heard." "I would give my fortune to have them back." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "It's nothing of the kind." to tackle the facts." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the galvanised. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Street. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from upon a handsome competence. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire late!' upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup that threaten you." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your ordinary clothes on?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. appeal." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Gutenberg-tm License. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Nothing." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely weary and pale-looking. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "And when will you call?" your Highness to the police-station?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice straighten it?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' hair?' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored laugh and put his lips to my ear. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "And what did you learn from him?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "You don't mind breaking the law?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I think that it is very probable." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very jewels which you have stolen?' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." a little more before I quite committed myself. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "He said that you could solve anything." and the colonel ushered me in. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Arthur Conan Doyle depend upon your compliance." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "My dear Holmes!" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "How about poison?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "No more words. Get out!" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" The King stared at him in amazement. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her business in the City. She little knew what. seven miles from Eyford Station.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Game for a morning drive?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the general public were present, then?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his your most interesting statement." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "It is half-past ten now." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' passage and a tap at the door. disappearance of these gems?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what if only as a check to my own memory." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which examine." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "9th. McCauley cleared. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready