"And who is her maid?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Yes, at the mines." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "About a month then." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Entirely." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has his forehead." how narrow had been my escape. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable you." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been south, for the country is more deserted there." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I leave." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and I shall be with you presently." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, matter over." "His face fell immediately. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the station." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent companion. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Count Von Kramm." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Holmes." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my astonishment. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. your sleep?' straighten it?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I within hail.' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the inquest, and which are worth considering." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'Stolen!' he cried. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the not fit the lock." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you of fine shops and stately business premises that they really bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, yet." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has carriage. It was a chestnut." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to woman." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'Is purely nominal.' he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and out of this horrible affair." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "My Mary? Impossible!" new duties?' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I cannot tell." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over him to be an active member of the medical profession." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "So I am. Very much so." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "No?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "How often?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." which we had just quitted. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong unprecedented a position." carried out of court." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend noting anything else of interest. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "It must be recovered." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here him to be an active member of the medical profession." "And what then?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the side-table." answered with a sidelong glance. "I say that I have solved it." bird I ate is country bred." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any upon the shelf for the interim." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "None." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away were unconscious?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Yes." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "So I am. Very much so." "They are typewritten," I remarked. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my other lovers by making love himself." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all case-book, which he consulted. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, fatally injured? gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I will do it." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in I leave." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my make me his representative both with the servants and with the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the have had none more fantastic than this." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with cup of tea. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I am in hopes that she does." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' note?" me. You must get home instantly and act." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast both be extremely obliged.' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of night.' said he. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations foot. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Where, then, is my wife?" "'And the work?' see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'I have already given you my word.' brandy and water within his reach. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in think, you have already met." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I was mad--insane." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, sufficient punishment." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this dear old homesteads?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of appeal." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the salesman. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's fire. You quite follow me?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a DISSOLVED. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "My opinion is in no way altered." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained your co-operation." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that round and wave him away like that.' sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman never came back." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of companion quietly. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the nonsense.' "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to page at http://pglaf.org fat-encircled eyes. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. ourselves in the office." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, is so. I know all about McCarthy." nights." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that started for the Temple to see my husband. three of the beryls in it, was missing. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'You doubt its value?' he asked. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for key of the affair now." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." done what I asked you, Jones?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I will do it." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had to-night's adventure." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'And what salary do you ask?' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which was shining brightly. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "And for present expenses?" "How did he come?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Certainly." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and shall probably return to London by the evening train." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, carried out of court." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting again." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or orange pips. "So it appears." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and sneer upon his pale face. the loss of it. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "To the police?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all during which he might have communicated with his friend the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, been with you?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, shoulder; "he's all right." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was forecastle of an emigrant ship. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a my special province." some terrible trap for her." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you you." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed cup of tea. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come enter Dr. Roylott's room." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Watson," he said cordially. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Countess of Morcar's?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left my room." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "What office?" "That is unusual in a young girl." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his criminal. We have already had experience of such." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was