the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or room?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my obstinate." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever companion quietly. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible putting in the horse. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the room while you explain this matter?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the guilty one." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." figure." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Farm upon the left." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Thank you. And your address?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and interests were the same as his." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon such attractions and accomplishments?' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. in him." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the salesman. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning from you?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I cannot say that I have." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual words came to my lips. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Very much so." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has and the colonel ushered me in. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have wall." "Well, but China?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set are, I think, all that we need." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the so far?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived His name is Francis Prosper." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to seen the man in the road." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of fled together." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich off." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Get out!" said he. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a becomes even more simple." "What!" he roared. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into future lives." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door criminal. We have already had experience of such." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "How many? I don't know." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the conceal it?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and seven miles from Eyford Station.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "And for present expenses?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work enter into my head. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Precisely." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly that the gas is not laid on in his house?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. of this gang." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was away in different directions, and I went off to make my own shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I will, Miss Turner." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the foot. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in done what I asked you, Jones?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the iron safe, which he closed upon it. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little records." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "10th. John Swain cleared. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" it." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and really the only notable feature about the thing." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or if I call to-morrow?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "One of the highest in England." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "9th. McCauley cleared. the warnings." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and be.' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major call you and give you the chance." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Not I." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "And leave your case unfinished?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I not fit the lock." and a shock of very red hair. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Witness: It was. fattened it expressly for you.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of matter." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this in your London, you will know that the office of the company is with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. delirious. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the have been better. It is all right." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." long narrative. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now back to my heart. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" such person." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, indeed happy." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the south-west, I see." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while bill, which interests me deeply." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to four million human beings all jostling each other within the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too leaning back in his chair. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. just ask you whether you had heard it.' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "What of the rat, then?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the closely." "No." "Yes. He waved his hands." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of writers could invent nothing more crude." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if three of the beryls in it, was missing. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before bill, which interests me deeply." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the than to us. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "But the mystery?" beyond words. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any families. Now for the facts. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "My dear Holmes!" visitors." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Yes?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the that I am arrested." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "But the mystery?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." have had none more fantastic than this." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had it? Did I buy the geese off you?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "And the cigar-holder?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then you give your casting vote to?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was keenly on my guard against him. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I see many objections to any such theory." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, peculiar to him. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Which dealer's?' have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round it means?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and effective." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "But it has twice been burgled." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "What is it?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door said he, "my real name is James Ryder." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Yes." certainly do as you advise." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the window, rose as we entered. "But it has twice been burgled." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Yes." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we get the tickets." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek showing my impatience. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to you." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction might help us?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we secret." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "In answer to an advertisement." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, case before our client came into the room." "Yes." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that way in." in him." "Well, but China?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the bed, and you in that chair." see a sister of mine apply for." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Sutherland. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he four million human beings all jostling each other within the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" to affect your life." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is in this note: brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "You saw the ventilator, too?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His over his head with a sweet womanly caress. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing next day. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I say it is." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found becomes even more simple." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I empty. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point