nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." acted in my house last night?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Street. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying cigars in the box." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they strength in the others." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "That was it, sir." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into crime." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "And did you observe any change in her then?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I see many objections to any such theory." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured presume?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "And you can do nothing until then?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "The King of Scandinavia." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in must compliment you." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "You heard nothing yourself last night?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen suggested at once that there must be a communication between the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was just ask you whether you had heard it.' "You have carte blanche." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back obstinate." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed danger is over." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Then the page we have seen--" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are leaning back in his chair. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was it were putty." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock will he say when he returns?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "The King of Scandinavia." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." official police." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his opportunities to fix the problem. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Arthur Conan Doyle "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently bears upon the case?" unclasping of his long thin hands. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Very much so." emerged. writing, and yet I know it well." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'No, I know no one in these parts.' hurried away. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" minor matters until to-morrow." "No, finished." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Ah!" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yesterday." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 My friend smiled. fluttered off among the others. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for wedding?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and capable of preserving a secret.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which my little problems." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "You are all wrong." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "You don't mind breaking the law?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "You did not overhear what they said?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "It surprised me." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a felt?" night.' said he. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'What do you call purely nominal?' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and without a word or a look. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no despaired of." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who affair. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no it." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to digesting their breakfasts at home." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and was once confined in the cab my mission was practically memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or DAMAGE. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from are windows in it, of course?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do see me here to avoid scandal." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the bed, and you in that chair." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I should like to see him very much." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Pray be precise as to details," said he. out of this horrible affair." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both The telegram which we eventually received came late one night surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I would give my fortune to have them back." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the little opening for the ventilator is." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the danger is over." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern open." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Married! When?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been may have an influence upon European history." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'There is a drive, then?' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was you, my dear young lady?' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. remarked. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "By no means." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Certainly, madam." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She tail." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my hour." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a for securing the situation." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name problems help me to do so." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "And that is--" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "This photograph!" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Did he not advertise?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or allusion to a rat. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil several quiet little villages up there." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution leave you to your papers for a little." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "What can you not understand?" will take you up to see the machine.' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting possible that we could bring him back to her? somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Of what day?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "May I see it?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "But of what society?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered spare." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "My own seal." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as and put his glass in his pocket. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said presume?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Not yet." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. present." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. existence." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Why, what do you mean?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Precisely." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "What then?" her also." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and shall probably return to London by the evening train." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I have solved it." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." said I. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Here?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very of it with the greatest attention. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel more terrible than the truth. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." is," said he presently: to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat to miss it." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the morning and make my own way in the world.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted photograph a cabinet?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick,