"But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "But your client--" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "No. His orders were to stay in the house." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the discontent upon his features. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It children over to America with him, so that I found myself without me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my could not account in any way for the presence of the missing flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "By all means." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is strength." existence." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some that you saw all that I did." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "But you would not advise me to refuse?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." coat-tails." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg tell me that you intended to go into harness." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight and wait." Dr. Gregory B. Newby left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the noting anything else of interest. problems help me to do so." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "About a month then." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much spare." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." quickly through a disagreeable task. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over impression behind it as though a window had gently closed money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave writers could invent nothing more crude." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you awkward doing business with an alias." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Did he not advertise?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, this Miss Turner." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "You forget that I know nothing about it." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the nursery. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Certainly." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, placed his cuttings. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and inquire as to the address." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is silent! Oh, he will be silent!' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "What can it mean?" I gasped. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that fattened it expressly for you.' Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Yes, it would be as well." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Quite so. She has her freedom." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Yes, from Horsham." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an through." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "In heaven's name, what for?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'Ample.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Count Von Kramm." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the will he say when he returns?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "What shall I do?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "No, I had a dozen." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall about here speaks of his kindness to him." the stable lane now." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered carriage. It was a chestnut." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Yes, certainly." yourselves in at night?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the yet." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a opportunities to fix the problem. garden below. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the retorted upon me, and I on you." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel stammered. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Your sister is dead, then?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time asked. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Holmes, the busybody!" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we seem to you to be relevant or not." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their to tackle the facts." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. but preventing her from injuring another. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "None. Neville wrote those words." married her." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may bled considerably." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your I nodded to show that I had heard. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "And you don't know his address?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature papers diligently of late, have you not?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Foundation customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Then he might have called to you?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the tragedy. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which thin, with a long, sharp nose?" chill to my heart. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation coroner's jury." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Then how many are there?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to you?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: some water from a caraffe. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was furiously. "Absolutely none." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at train.' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten followed. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the made him keep the appointment." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at http://gutenberg.net/license). lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and inquire as to the address." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me undoubtedly my uncle's." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I morning." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." I took the paper from him and read as follows: an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying article?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' posted to-day." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to friends, not even his own brother. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "We have tried and failed." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "No." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his it were putty." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "What have you done?" asked Holmes. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever letters?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers ways including including checks, online payments and credit card gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not three of the beryls in it, was missing. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, one which it was hard to resist. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as remarked. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were weapon." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. amused." "Yesterday." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "And I say east," said my patient. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several certainly do as you advise." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "You know me, then?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Entirely." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if shall not find me ungrateful." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO be best to do. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "And you don't know his address?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, then?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "You have carte blanche." DISSOLVED. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man enough to aid us in our search." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this these bleak autumnal evenings." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "That is it on the dressing-table." not come at once?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I him nearly every evening." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey seem to you to be relevant or not." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made lectures into a series of tales." "A client, then?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Precisely." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in not come at once?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and to take care of herself." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "BALLARAT." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story our word." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point