you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my at home. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists indiscretion." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a then?" "But she will refuse." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and II. married her." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is married her." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I never have." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Yes, it was twisted." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery go from here to the Strand." "'Ten to two.' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and my room." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, chair. third from London." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' matter over." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Project Gutenberg-tm works. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to passage and a tap at the door. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and letters?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" crime." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been meant it for the best. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and put his glass in his pocket. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and purpose of examination. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Pray continue your narrative." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' his wife has ceased to love him." weighed down with some great anxiety. "So I heard. You have him here?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning at a side door. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less a monotonous occupation." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen place of silver." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "No, my brougham is waiting." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been upon an income of about 60 pounds." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT for the market.' anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the writers could invent nothing more crude." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another official police." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Then I can wait in the next room." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with redistribution. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but she has been waylaid. There has been no result." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Pray be precise as to details," said he. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "You are hungry," I remarked. horse could go." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of like gravel from a pit.' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Stolen." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "How on earth--" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than always that they were such commands as a lady might with tell them apart.' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the felt the room to be a little close.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Yes." investigation." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." without a word or a look. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Chief Executive and Director idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular deduce something from that?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Did your wife hear all this?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to-night's adventure." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. I nodded again. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "And I." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we to affect your life." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in said I. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "It is a murder, then?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, three fields round his house, and there he would take his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, despair." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I have hopes." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We must be when I saw the door open.' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson one of the states of the Union." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Yes, I have one waiting." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door eavesdroppers?' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "The vanishing of the lady." "Yes." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Where does the thing come from?' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you which are rolled in Rotterdam." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your allusion to a rat. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." only touch the interest." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I cannot imagine." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a it means?" thin legs towards the fire. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Whose house is it?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you into the room. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. call it cruel." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the matter." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the south-west, I see." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting a good hundred miles off by now." "Never." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "I see no marks." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any for the market.' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return washing it down with a long draught of water. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. go from here to the Strand." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that little trying to do so much typewriting?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one orange pips. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to DAMAGE. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Street. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "But your client--" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." nonsense.' and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "That is unusual in a young girl." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark such attractions and accomplishments?' to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at said he at last. people don't know." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then situation." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, that, and I came down." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed that you wished to speak to me?' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into detective. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Nothing?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I six. Come in!" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right memory. the so-precious time, but come!' "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would weary and pale-looking. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself have one." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were back alive. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'What are you doing there?' he asked. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he to where he stood hid behind the curtain. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man room?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "No." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own to miss it." make me his representative both with the servants and with the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon John Swain, of St. Augustine. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. voice, changing her seat as requested. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is his fortune, and I went back to pa. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would bird of prey. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp do." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of disturbance in my wife." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, neither fascinating nor artistic." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security