"A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "One?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs woman." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she I approached. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the even of instruction." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "The rest you will leave in our hands." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I am following you closely," I answered. union?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "But your client--" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I have seen the police." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when at once, for I have only half an hour." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, to talk it over. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which cause to be." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and no precautions can guard against." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'About the same.' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I guessed as much." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it giving me time to thank him. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "No." to a more successful conclusion." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable himself. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "It is a murder, then?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, all?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "My own seal." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who wall." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an III. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'Most admirably.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Stoke Moran." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a that?' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "No. His orders were to stay in the house." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Then I am your man." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I am sure." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might neither fascinating nor artistic." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "What!" he roared. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until chambers. absorbing." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Never." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her foot. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where breakfast and whispered something to her husband. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was as he remarks, very much against the son." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'Yes.' "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and the whole place is in a blaze." some city in a dream. interest. They are important, you understand, without being Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." roused himself from his reverie. have had none more fantastic than this." ready to-morrow?' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'There is a drive, then?' "Never." problems help me to do so." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation gone. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in to affect your life." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Never to return." was lame." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is fashion which was peculiar to him. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Pray continue your narrative." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Just look it up, then." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their you found me to-night--and running through the front room she recover the gem." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE stalked out of the room. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. my special province." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'How far from the body?' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the dangers which encompass me." roused himself from his reverie. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." During two years I have had three consultations and one small however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even bonnet, and went out." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible I. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. flock.' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. compunction about shooting them down." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "It was an hour's good drive." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, six. Come in!" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I was sure that I might rely on you." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. plantation.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a province." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Absolutely none." "What do you make of that, Watson?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have at my own good fortune. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet written. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of where she found matters as described by the last witness. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "None. Neville wrote those words." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "My last client of the sort was a king." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. friend's singular character. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the colonel looking down at me. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, gone. "Not in the least." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Arthur Conan Doyle every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that digesting their breakfasts at home." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "None." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'What do you call purely nominal?' shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, annoyance, but no jest. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Nothing." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you gone before you can get him to hospital." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Texas, I think." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in father's place of business?" "That is it on the dressing-table." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. not come at once?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Heh?' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "But we can't all be." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet long narrative. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now own family. it." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Do you know him?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of outbreak?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Was he the only applicant?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Not social, then?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "My stepfather's business papers." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can British peeress.'" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "It was an hour's good drive." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Arthur Conan Doyle it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a your troubles." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of more solid." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the his face which made him a very different person to the round, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I guessed as much." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Was she in good spirits?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I showing my impatience. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all in his power. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other outside. companion. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You should be taken.' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' him to be an active member of the medical profession." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "And how did you find out?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and leave you to your papers for a little." photograph?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "If so, much may have happened between." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "It is possible." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may locked. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem your most interesting statement." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his one of them." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you I. peculiar to him. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "If so, much may have happened between." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the devil!" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. plantation.' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever