moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not affection." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a himself to tell his story. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Why, what do you mean?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. back alive. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'Where to?' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is night.' said he. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had will he say when he returns?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to nonsense.' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the room while you explain this matter?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs of the one which your family is now devouring." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our papers diligently of late, have you not?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." think you a quite exceptional woman." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "The doctor?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his highly," said Holmes. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Foundation "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down little trying to do so much typewriting?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and morning." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." did not hear it also.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in wedding?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Frequently." "9th. McCauley cleared. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or could gather together that I was able to avert another public near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that writers could invent nothing more crude." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous upon a handsome competence. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements From what you have told me I think that it is possible that aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the is a common subject for conversation. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Very well, sir. And this stone?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of enough to aid us in our search." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no habit of advancing money.' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope events than those which have happened in my own family." fat-encircled eyes. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I cannot tell." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She imbecility!" he cried. know what is wrong with it.' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "She showed me, as I told you she would." answer." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'Quite sure, dad.' discontent upon his features. "'Where could I find him?' time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by little adventures." for its centre. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as grasp, he hurried from the room. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'I am sure that I do not know.' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Was she in good spirits?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been my special province." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included never will be, entirely cleared up. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "It was an hour's good drive." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "He is still with you, I presume?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "No, I had a dozen." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Dr. Gregory B. Newby plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of system of imprisonment?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on and all of them with the keenest interest. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "The murder was done with it." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Well, but China?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Can I be of assistance?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I was sure that I might rely on you." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped on in his house." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he knowledge of the world." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached side. foot. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, in him." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Quite so. She has her freedom." get her out of the way." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us to change my dress. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Then I do not see the point." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily wedding?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very generous with you in money matters.' an introduction to him?" voice, changing her seat as requested. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a conclusions. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "What is it, then--a fire?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "By no means." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "How did you deduce the select?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my business matters.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and hardly wander." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of his shoulders. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special to a light-house. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could I approached. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "And how did you find out?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman will not take me long to tell. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and have this put in the evening papers." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough flock.' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "My dear Holmes!" "Well, some hundreds of times." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you green of the new foliage. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable new duties?' never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my where she found matters as described by the last witness. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I am not easy in my mind about them." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. absorbing." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She strength in the others." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "My Mary? Impossible!" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner into the bag, and made for the door. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Witness: I must still refuse. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." come either from the window or the door. My attention was like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "What, then, did Peterson do?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase long narrative. man. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the said I. Holmes' thin, eager face. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." guilty one." it were putty." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce dear old homesteads?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. locked. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "No. What a strange idea!" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large it." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his your only hope of safety." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "No, distinctly professional." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Quite sure, dad.' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "By no means." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, him." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and thin legs towards the fire. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he weary and pale-looking. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours observed. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "You horrify me." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope plantation.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the on in his house." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." be there in time for your coming." and the colonel ushered me in. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us outside. families. Now for the facts. suddenly upon us." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her conduct the inquiry." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I was mad--insane." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied like that before?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Street. "I am sure." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch you." "BALLARAT." public press." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "VIOLET HUNTER." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Yesterday." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Precisely." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but kindly on the shoulder. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "No, but the enclosure is." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Was he the only applicant?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would himself to hunt down. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'You cannot say what it was?' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to down. "No." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "At the wedding breakfast." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Never." to-night's adventure." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on already been minutely examined." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on