the salesman. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'Never,' said I. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One note?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "And how did he make his money?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Yes." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all floor. security.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, anything to do with the matter?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had there is a decided draught." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the woman." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "But what harm can there be in that?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, once more. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Yes, he did." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "The knees of his trousers." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question galvanised. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Stoke Moran." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a ago." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Stolen." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event relief. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the not personally threatened." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'Where to?' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and wait." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he been with you?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Where does the thing come from?' "Yes?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences villagers almost as much as their master. "But what harm can there be in that?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I will, Miss Turner." you understand?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich detective. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged imbecility!" he cried. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish since then to throw any light upon what became of him." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be DISSOLVED. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I say that I have solved it." "No good news?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Sholtos." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his in darkness. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking jewels which you have stolen?' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern advice." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in way in." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." here and I will read it to you: He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "The King of Scandinavia." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Your French gold?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Pray be precise as to details," said he. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a nonsense.' "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough cup of tea. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I call the police, let the police find what they can.' lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock purpose of examination. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present held up the lantern and gazed about him. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I know where it is." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush must compliment you." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. had this final quarrel? "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of kind enough to tell me what I should do." undoubtedly my uncle's." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an three of the beryls in it, was missing. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Leadenhall Street--and--" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I help us in this matter." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found carriage. It was a chestnut." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some have established a very serious case against the son of the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the south-west, I see." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he of this gang." this remarkable episode. "What office?" in darkness. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I cannot think." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the signal between you and your father? "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical not personally threatened." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, me where it went to?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "It is half-past ten now." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss friend's singular character. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Not him." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "No sign of it?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "On Monday." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Have you her photograph?" at once, for I have only half an hour." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and character. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the strength." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the coronet in his hands?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to to Leatherhead. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity six. Come in!" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'Yes, sir.' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Was there a secret marriage?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been father's young wife. might help us?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." made his money." formed some opinion?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I am still in the dark." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features depend upon my doing so.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements crowd. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe sake, don't!" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them formed some opinion?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an your Highness to the police-station?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will crackling voice. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a his face which made him a very different person to the round, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not see a sister of mine apply for." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a to tell." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Thank you. And your address?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Yes, it was twisted." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, photograph a cabinet?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the business?" asked with his eyes open. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace your troubles." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as least a most suspicious remark." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Watson," he said cordially. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is throat." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church guilty parties." "Perhaps we may make them less so." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I came to find a friend." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the success. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two one's self under obligations.' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All my room." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Was he the only applicant?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the copied or distributed: postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "No." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging he died? "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience strong and stiff." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "It is his hat." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to fuss that is made over them." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the Red-headed League." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked matter." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I should like to see him very much." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four remarked. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a held up the lantern and gazed about him. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable fait accompli?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to enter into my head. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both