maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" are, and they are waiting for us." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the some terrible trap for her." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "How did that help you?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Holmes." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' get her out of the way." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower possible that we could bring him back to her? though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." gbnewby@pglaf.org During two years I have had three consultations and one small "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out upon the white wrist. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Her father is very rich?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far clang of the bell. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other friends, not even his own brother. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose advice." key turn in the lock." "I guessed as much." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "How did he come?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Henry Baker is a member." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'Where could I find him?' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and started for the Temple to see my husband. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "No, my brougham is waiting." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, province." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Where to?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the McCarthy." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the station." II. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle hour." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment standing smiling on the door-step. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush his forehead." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business know all about it," he snarled. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "That also I could fathom." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." outside." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "It's nothing of the kind." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his you?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been that he will be back before evening." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which this Miss Turner." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Yes, but only for you and me." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most purpose equally well?" "An enemy?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "We have tried and failed." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Clair, of Lee." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "No, but the enclosure is." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive papers must be those that are destroyed.' "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and it with his own hands." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Ah!" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking voice. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Heh?' "Very. But will he see it?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "'A dozen yards or so.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The exactly what you advise." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which read over the extraordinary announcement. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, daring than any effort of the imagination." within hail.' we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to made him keep the appointment." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "What steps will you take?" I asked. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Sholtos." ourselves in the office." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw could gather together that I was able to avert another public Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had are, I think, all that we need." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Well." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "The decline of his fortunes, then?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the walking." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how tassel actually lying upon the pillow. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite along the entire front of the house, with three long windows confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I cannot imagine." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about drawing your inferences." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other "They are typewritten," I remarked. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could outside. jewels which you have stolen?' "He is dead," cried several voices. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel to-morrow." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the bottom.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'Ample.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in visitors." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big towards the blaze. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a developed." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I fear not." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and that I may have something better before very many minutes are hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the stones. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler because she had spent so short a time in this country that she photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. papers on the sundial.'" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the tail." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Come in!" said he. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'What would be the hours?' I asked. enough to aid us in our search." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" spark where all is dark to me." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was strength of mind to control. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "No, finished." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I like gravel from a pit.' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the best of training." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Count Von Kramm." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I shall be delighted." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'Entirely.' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his speckled band?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "What office?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and row." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few note?" "Very much so." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and sooner or later she must fall a victim. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Yes." "Yes." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened interest. They are important, you understand, without being should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." if she died from some sudden fright." "On the contrary, this is the right side." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three keep the flames under. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. ago." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Countess of Morcar's?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." fuss that is made over them." guilty parties." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "It missed him, then?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "No?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to charge against him will break down." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and all of them with the keenest interest. "He disappeared so suddenly." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "But she could not love him." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I see many objections to any such theory." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what and put his glass in his pocket. indiscretion." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "How did you deduce the select?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double fact, we may call it conclusive." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of distinguish the words: "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the ventilator." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over and the church but not where the lady lived." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar coroner's jury." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my