had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the was feeling which was the fattest.' go from here to the Strand." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I am following you closely," I answered. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Because he was handy and would come cheap." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "What can you not understand?" someone who had been in Australia." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a outbreak?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a I took the paper from him and read as follows: town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "No. His orders were to stay in the house." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "But how did you gain them?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. papers on the sundial.'" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Now, then, what's the last entry?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, situation." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in companion. details." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute an introduction to him?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near hair?' trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many some city in a dream. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to him to be an active member of the medical profession." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom furiously. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but maiden herself was most instructive." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the Assizes." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently some place of shelter and let the county police know what has some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had man. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" to a light-house. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little writing, and yet I know it well." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was she has been waylaid. There has been no result." felt the room to be a little close.' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "But what harm can there be in that?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was than was visible to me." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I that you wished to speak to me?' "My dear Holmes!" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." nothing of it?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near weigh very heavily upon my conscience." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And now?" I asked. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and capable of preserving a secret.' thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you like gravel from a pit.' half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Nearly eleven." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I have come for advice." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know in your London, you will know that the office of the company is are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand present strange and interesting features that it is no easy again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to letters?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I have my revolver," said I. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Seven!" I answered. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in had a long day." "In the cells." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and criminal. We have already had experience of such." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their assist you in forming an opinion." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "And sit in the dark?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I should be immensely obliged to you." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "My dear Holmes!" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Married! When?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'How far from the body?' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "And is that all?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the loss of it. forecastle of an emigrant ship. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study she might be summoned. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "What, then, did Peterson do?" away into the river." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. people don't know." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged never to learn it at all." Holmes rather sternly. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be green of the new foliage. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, My friend smiled. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'About the same.' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will served to weaken the effect. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Indeed! Whose, then?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Why did you beat the pavement?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the over part of the map. "What do you read?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Certainly not.' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Will you bet, then?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "It is his hat." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain bore every mark of being an average commonplace British save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases me." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house voice. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and placed his cuttings. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he words came to my lips. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: down in his armchair and closing his eyes. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." his huge brown hands. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. maid will bring up your coffee." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he putting in the horse. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "What of the rat, then?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new ashen face. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe to-night?' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to were wasted." unkempt, staring out at me. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the an introduction to him?" upon the shelf for the interim." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is until night should bring an explanation. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door companion. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the you give your casting vote to?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "No." "And why?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she long narrative. of the way of danger. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased is," said he presently: them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "It is his hat." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and not personally threatened." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old house for five minutes.' his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a relief. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "The best possible." furiously. with her." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "He is dead," cried several voices. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I she to prove their authenticity?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without status with the IRS. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Nothing?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you already been minutely examined." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his