first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "At the wedding breakfast." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I say it is." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident girl said." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "We were both in the photograph." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Sholtos." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of about. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at promised to bring home. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he cup of tea. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to that open window." over here." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Do you go out much in society?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Then I shall certainly come." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is thin, with a long, sharp nose?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to second window is the one that I jumped from." bedroom door." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Entirely." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "One of the highest in England." you in your example." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the coronet in his hand?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Then I can wait in the next room." the one as in the other." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Come in!" said Holmes. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I acted in my house last night?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I friend's singular character. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' morning." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this a good hundred miles off by now." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by sentimental considerations in the background which would induce remarked. "'Ample.' and capable of preserving a secret.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is could not account in any way for the presence of the missing into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "So it appears." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now with the outside air!" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this tassel actually lying upon the pillow. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "His face fell immediately. had a long day." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his newspaper selections." "How did you deduce the select?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of was a perfect sample of the class. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of or in danger--" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Very truly yours, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it outbreak?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for What do you deduce from it?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Nothing." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "That is not always so easy." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she American. Then who could this American be, and why should he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "And your father? Did you tell him?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked bachelor.' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp begun to whiten, even as mine has." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. manager. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the it." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the with you?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of forbidden door. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the roots. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Have you good authority for what you say?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." trying to your nerves." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than house for five minutes.' interested in these little problems, and since you are good walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing business in the City. She little knew what. "In heaven's name, what for?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, views." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." DISSOLVED. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "It is true that I have been generally successful." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" ventilator." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than The telegram which we eventually received came late one night d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his empty. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very your troubles." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows learned something! Where are the gems?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "This concluded the examination of the witness." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the salesman. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "In San Francisco, a year ago." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Sholtos." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "At half-wages, in fact." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you yet." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "My dear Holmes!" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I am all attention, madam." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Is he quiet?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Ten will be early enough." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked look dissatisfied." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "And I." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause approach us with offers to donate. went to the Alpha were town bred." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "We must sit without light. He would see it through the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism of them has the shutters up.' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "And did you observe any change in her then?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "And did you observe any change in her then?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. yards of it?' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Arthur Conan Doyle country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "My private note-paper." I. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at written. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Not yet." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so than was visible to me." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have one or two very singular points about this room. For example, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Chief Executive and Director Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in been deceived." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer laugh and put his lips to my ear. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK believe that I should never have any practice at all. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we never came back." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE taking in every detail of the apartment. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "It goes to the housekeeper's room." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Pool. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to answer." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a whole matter to your consideration." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "None. Neville wrote those words." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell beyond words. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. not come at once?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Then I shall certainly come." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed you?' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the asked with his eyes open. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. written, and locked the door of the office after me. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Never." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I will not look." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous security.' directors, with the result that you have seen." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable quick march!" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring followed. sufficient punishment." to-night." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Eh? What was that?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the outsides of the windows. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which should be so warm over such a trifle." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The to-night." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I see many objections to any such theory." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just that I may have something better before very many minutes are say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known forehead. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "You think that he is dead?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback I leave." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I see many objections to any such theory." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general of receipt of the work. public press." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. nothing with him." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and wait." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, I. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "But I am all in the dark." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Nothing?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could