Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Pray do so." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering and wait." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, look dissatisfied." "What will you say?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "But how?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking which our visitor detailed to us. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "By no means." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Serpentine Avenue. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in stalked out of the room. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which thirty. "And help." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of them has the shutters up.' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On past. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Yes.' greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I will get her to show me." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might shall use the carriage to-night." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that drawing your inferences." dramatic, in fact." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "What can you not understand?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "What! You do not mean bodies?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "And for present expenses?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "That is it on the dressing-table." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent bonnet, and went out." lost nothing by them." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Eyford at 11:15.' time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "None." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a this Miss Turner." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the business." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the night.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and went to the Alpha were town bred." lips." "Then I can wait in the next room." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me like that before?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window lectures into a series of tales." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I shall be delighted." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by despaired of." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I say it is." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, second." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "And when will you call?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get beyond words. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Stoke Moran?" said he. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which chamber." questioning and rather startled gaze. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, orange pips. be.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San said I. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true touch that coronet?' to have been novel and of interest." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'Why that?' I asks. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to-morrow." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "None. Neville wrote those words." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements persecution?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you interests were the same as his." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Where is it, then?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with mystery may be cleared along those lines." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the keep the flames under. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the salesman. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so in the dead of the night?' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a death." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was learned something! Where are the gems?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who overpowering excitement and concern. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "And how in the world did you find them?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag call for protection in the marriage market, for the present existence." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "How do you know, then?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Sutherland. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, conclusions. lost nothing by them." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the not come at once?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "No." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed I nodded to show that I had heard. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "At half-wages, in fact." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich husband's writing, madam." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can only touch the interest." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "But your client--" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and humiliation." must be when I saw the door open.' and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. tell me that you intended to go into harness." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager entirely devoid of interest." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "A client, then?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, are, I think, all that we need." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." is acting for the best. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I sound at heart." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to roused himself from his reverie. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I would give my fortune to have them back." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah enter Dr. Roylott's room." his eyes and forehead. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Pool. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, thin legs towards the fire. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the like gravel from a pit.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Gutenberg-tm License. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you meant it for the best. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "So I am. Very much so." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the morning." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Ah, but I was recommended to you." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the general public were present, then?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Where, then, is my wife?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there system of imprisonment?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for into the bag, and made for the door. "You forget that I know nothing about it." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Then I do not see the point." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "And I." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "What of the rat, then?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout roused himself from his reverie. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature place no limit on the sum I may draw." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 charge against him will break down." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Was she in good spirits?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But he died? lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "No. His orders were to stay in the house." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two writers could invent nothing more crude." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Frequently." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New indeed which he could not unravel. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "But the mystery?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless strength in the others." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yes." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily awkward doing business with an alias." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of at my own good fortune. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to tell them apart.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked that I am arrested." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of papers." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Your French gold?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. happened." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it a few minutes he said that it would be all right. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. putting in the horse. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "My dear Holmes!" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. pictures, libraries, or plate. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the followed. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady must compliment you." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm which our visitor detailed to us. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?"