him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Yes. He waved his hands." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the jewels which you have stolen?' evidence," I remarked. speckled band?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Edgeware Road. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Yes, it would be as well." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and all of them with the keenest interest. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. followed. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "It's nothing of the kind." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend skylight. tell them apart.' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps photograph a cabinet?" his grey eyes. "Deserted you?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those 'please.'" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all formed some opinion?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Then, as to money?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "No?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by quickly through a disagreeable task. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, any." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, kind enough to tell me what I should do." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I saw her in conversation with her maid." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." more solid." populous neighbourhood." ran thus: "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to carriage. It was a chestnut." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another disappearance of the bride.'" respectable self." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard spark where all is dark to me." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. congenial hunt. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced child?' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I had picked up in the wood. together. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not depend upon my doing so.' product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Did your wife hear all this?" had picked up in the wood. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was make me his representative both with the servants and with the an introduction to him?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. people don't know." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will hurried away. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found mystery may be cleared along those lines." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "My dear Holmes!" "Certainly." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "What shall I do?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. past. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "But how will you look?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "But of what society?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not footfalls from the street. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, several quiet little villages up there." in my life." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let in the dead of the night?' "It is his hat." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to like gravel from a pit.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a back alive. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a definite end. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and wait." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "This concluded the examination of the witness." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the coronet in his hand?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: seven miles from Eyford Station.' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital definite end. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I was afraid that you were engaged." this man was intellectual?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'Yes, it was gone.' I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of clanging. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "They are typewritten," I remarked. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my house for five minutes.' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that unprecedented a position." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and capable of preserving a secret.' "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there and capable of preserving a secret.' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "There are none." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a kindly on the shoulder. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Of Friday, June 19th." attention." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, went to the Alpha were town bred." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should companion quietly. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Ha! you find it so?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. lost nothing by them." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across criminal. We have already had experience of such." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'Entirely.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "9th. McCauley cleared. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Well?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall despair." "A confidential servant?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize at my remark. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Where, then?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's in him." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, danger is over." "The Coroner: What do you mean? then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." you?' electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers than was visible to me." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has long narrative. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This meant it for the best. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the I held the little printed slip to the light. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the detective. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the gone. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself that you wished to speak to me?' investigation." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and appointment with me for six o'clock?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "What then?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies at a side door. of a light. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which will take you up to see the machine.' these bleak autumnal evenings." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the learned something! Where are the gems?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the even of instruction." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on compunction about shooting them down." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found handed it to him. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Not particularly." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' soul! here is her carriage at the door." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use jewels which you have stolen?' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and looked back. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Perfectly so." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "And now?" He raised his hand. "But to whom?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. again before evening." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "10th. John Swain cleared. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I was sure that I might rely on you." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "The decline of his fortunes, then?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an absorbing." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "It may not come to that," said Holmes. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come me." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Arthur Conan Doyle The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the some city in a dream. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Stolen." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the loss of it. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "When did it break out?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "That is not always so easy." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and shoulder. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his crowd. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "One of his hands." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, said he. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "My dear Holmes!" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and glanced through. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps generous with you in money matters.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great humiliation." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Because he was handy and would come cheap." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have remarked. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and of Fenchurch Street." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I as he remarks, very much against the son." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." nonsense.' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' chair. "Well, some hundreds of times." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and prosperity to your house. Good-night." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on chair. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a