station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that at my own good fortune. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "ARAT," I read. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt shoulder. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his looking up at the numbers of the houses." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Edgeware Road. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Who by?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Very truly yours, know all about it," he snarled. "Where did you address your letters, then?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began man. I know him from the photograph." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural ago." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he photograph a cabinet?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding easy-going way." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Very truly yours, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder mystery!" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the possible that we could bring him back to her? all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting that I am arrested." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow detective. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. straightened it out again. gone. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce footfalls from the street. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "No legal papers or certificates?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It is his hat." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'I am sure if I had known--' on in his house." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez been." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads daring than any effort of the imagination." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, all-comprehensive glances. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour yards of it?' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Certainly, madam." at once, for I have only half an hour." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "The rest you will leave in our hands." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project could go. "Then, how do you know?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? events than those which have happened in my own family." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I was sure that I might rely on you." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was occupations.' questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Nothing." "The gentleman I describe." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Here?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "9th. McCauley cleared. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly train.' "Your French gold?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Never." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have stammered. "At what time?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to foresight and the moral retrogression?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of was used.' "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital ready to-morrow?' north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Get out!" said he. "Is he quiet?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Yes." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I shoulder. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he very old mansion. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' careless servant girl?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must address. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "So I am. Very much so." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "In heaven's name, what for?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining it." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." shall use the carriage to-night." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Nothing." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection on re-entering her father's house?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me business came to an end." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "They are typewritten," I remarked. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and files of the old papers, following the future career of every then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "What! Had he lost his wife?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Has he come with you to-night?" not, dad?" she asked. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." hopeless attempt at recovering them." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "No." lost nothing by them." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Your presence might be invaluable." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more client, rising. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "It must be recovered." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way wanted for ourselves." a monotonous occupation." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and I shall be with you presently." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Pray let us have it, for all that." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I am in hopes that she does." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect families. Now for the facts. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Yes." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "And Irene Adler?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in depend upon my doing so.' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "And is that all?" more terrible than the truth. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "The knees of his trousers." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I here and I will read it to you: eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his matter." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Certainly." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very certainly not very gracious." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I know that the truth is known." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I will get her to show me." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City do.' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I suggested at once that there must be a communication between the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She did not hear it also.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. instincts rose up against that laugh. place no limit on the sum I may draw." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Again Holmes raved in the air. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her already been minutely examined." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "The Coroner: What do you mean? the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Was she in good spirits?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "How long did she speak to this Alice?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may characteristics, but those are the more obvious." union?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "My dear Holmes!" that he will be back before evening." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from intrusion of other matters." "Then what has happened to him?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most visitors." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, ventilator." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a delighted to hear it," he said. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped hand, madam?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind developed." "I assure you that I am in your hands." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin tell me that you intended to go into harness." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us upon the sideboard." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after affair. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when gigantic client. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, strong reason behind." certainly not very gracious." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should answered with a sidelong glance. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress returning from some small jollification and was making his way away in different directions, and I went off to make my own ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "My opinion is in no way altered." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Indeed! Whose, then?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out chambers. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. it." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I some terrible trap for her." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke attention." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then