London for the present?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The enter into my head. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in outbreak?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips mysterious business." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "You think that he is dead?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become writer." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey be. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Yes, at the mines." the bottom.' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." situation." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a newspaper selections." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted words came to my lips. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Stoke Moran." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and have this put in the evening papers." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and just ask you whether you had heard it.' one else, I think." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I guessed as much." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came annoyance, but no jest. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'I have already given you my word.' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Then how many are there?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. have one." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "No." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Yes, I have one waiting." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'Quite sure, dad.' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "The knees of his trousers." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the coronet at all injured?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Then the page we have seen--" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of The King stared at him in amazement. delirious. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I should like to see him very much." coroner's jury." article?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella quite distinctive." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of is a common subject for conversation. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Witness: Nothing definite. "On the contrary, this is the right side." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I retorted upon me, and I on you." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" death." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "So I heard. You have him here?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, which it had come upon my father." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. highroad, where all traces were lost. "Which are?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Not particularly." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was October 9, 1890. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Yesterday." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Ample." has little to do with my story." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever on in his house." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the disappearance of these gems?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. his knees, staring into the fire. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS been." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this colour had been driven from his face. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." three of the beryls in it, was missing. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and looked back. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark fattened it expressly for you.' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a you." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the devil!" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A we went to search for him, face downward in a little to me. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses have not had my rubber." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Quite so. She has her freedom." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself important." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural place no limit on the sum I may draw." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up nothing of it?" "What are they?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Yes?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" good for you to do.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You friends, not even his own brother. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "You think that he is dead?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may down. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting you understand?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence prisoner's face. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of your only hope of safety." "Yes, from Horsham." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how you." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "That is it on the dressing-table." formed some opinion?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during success. "I answered that I had not. "No, I am descending." "Was he the only applicant?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "What then?" awaited us upon the table. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two interested in these little problems, and since you are good me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Clair, of Lee." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I think it very unlikely." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." is four-and-twenty." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be with you?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each telegram would bring me down to your help." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by soul! here is her carriage at the door." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Nor running a chance of arrest?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the roots. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate vault. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Why did you pick him?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, character. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Then how many are there?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "The rest you will leave in our hands." certainly do as you advise." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'Not at all. I only doubt--' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Come in!" said he. "Witness: It was. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "What will you do, then?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is chambers. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "And you don't know his address?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, my little problems." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at once more. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "In heaven's name, what for?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Seven!" I answered. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Of what?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the affection." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a ventilator." heavily into it. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the loss of it. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should way in everything. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I results." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'I shall certainly be there.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "It's nothing of the kind." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does answered with a sidelong glance. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems your only hope of safety." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I DISSOLVED. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Bought." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Entirely." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned existence." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must works. gives a meaning to it." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced prisoner's face. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the know all about it," he snarled. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I would then never go into court at all." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the so-precious time, but come!' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite it with his own hands." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the