"Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the hand, madam?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in his fortune, and I went back to pa. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. papers." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "You saw the ventilator, too?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the inner apartment." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, round and wave him away like that.' things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the least a fellow-countryman. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much matters immensely." photograph?" the very morning of the wedding." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic enter into my head. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'Yes, sir.' ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" new duties?' were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an our word." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary sit on the left-hand side of the driver." lamp in his hand. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat foresight and the moral retrogression?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through ashen face. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to made him keep the appointment." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said again, where I was soon asleep. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the inquest, and which are worth considering." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, neither fascinating nor artistic." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "What!" he roared. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, see a sister of mine apply for." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce for and were ordered to this address. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own have I gained?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As thought that she would have been so carried away." the coronet in his hands?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have second." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was was a loud and authoritative tap. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in vault. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, hand, madam?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. into the room. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; touch that coronet?' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low results." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and in a friendly supper." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Well, but China?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began crackling voice. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' hour." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It was." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "And how have you succeeded?" of the way of danger. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is sofa. This way, please!" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see because she had spent so short a time in this country that she first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "No, distinctly professional." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips papers diligently of late, have you not?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Where, then, is my wife?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "It is very clear." to miss it." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "My dear Holmes!" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some this poor creature." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'Oh, no.' you." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really even so self-evident a thing as that." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began unclasping of his long thin hands. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "One of his hands." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and companion imperturbably. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Come in!" said Holmes. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face shaken than I had ever seen him. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "It came here." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I have my revolver," said I. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His possible that we could bring him back to her? myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "One?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "And how did you find out?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I came to find a friend." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you derbies." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have invisible to me," I remarked. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in hurried away. I am not easy in my mind about them." "The Cedars?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I strength in the others." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Why? What do you mean?" conduct the inquiry." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'I am sure that I do not know.' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert again, where I was soon asleep. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to purpose of examination. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'Is purely nominal.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made mystery!" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "But he might be a bachelor." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" residence of the great financier. your sleep?' have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as row." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "My opinion is in no way altered." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take straighten it?" dramatic, in fact." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." business matters.' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Look there!" said he. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, for and were ordered to this address. vanished into the darkness. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "By no means." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the room while you explain this matter?" this remarkable episode. "Imitated." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds galvanised. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Why? What do you mean?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a respectable self." fashion which was peculiar to him. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to go from here to the Strand." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both I am not easy in my mind about them." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of was a loud and authoritative tap. do you make of it all?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue dead, shall be safe with us." "And I to find an enemy." unprecedented a position." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Is he quiet?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Cross for the Continent." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said morning." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "None." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped upon an income of about 60 pounds." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Pray do so." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots entirely devoid of interest." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From his knees, staring into the fire. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "It must be recovered." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, congenial hunt. upon the sideboard." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. said he at last. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the invisible to me," I remarked. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent awaited us upon the table. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, success. corner of the building. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing used to be." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Why did you beat the pavement?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm intrusion of other matters." I shall continue with my miserable story. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of of your young ladies.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the inquest, and which are worth considering." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared open." fait accompli?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one,