instincts rose up against that laugh. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I three of the beryls in it, was missing. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other rose-bushes. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "In the cells." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'I am sure that I do not know.' License. You must require such a user to return or "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me colonel looking down at me. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like noting anything else of interest. said he. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "You did not overhear what they said?" to-night?' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion upon the shelf for the interim." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to clang of the bell. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, pressing in one house as in another. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "This concluded the examination of the witness." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "That you are never beaten." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. over here." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back ran thus: crackling voice. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the very morning of the wedding." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "It surprised me." bill, which interests me deeply." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I would give my fortune to have them back." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be cup of tea. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Yes." "At half-wages, in fact." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could his grey eyes. hereditary King of Bohemia." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Pope's Court, Fleet Street." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I am following you closely," I answered. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be events, Mr. Windibank!" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left were new raised from a basin. "Then I am your man." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the tragedy. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting which should have the effect of calling the attention of the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. trying to your nerves." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their weapon." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the envelope. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'No, I know no one in these parts.' For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. discontent upon his features. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before detained." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Then I do not see the point." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "It was." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Ha! you find it so?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I been." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "In what way?" asked Holmes. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of said he. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his for securing the situation." "No." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered weighed down with some great anxiety. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "What is it, then--a fire?" quickly through a disagreeable task. tell me that you intended to go into harness." such person." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking that I can to serve you." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. soul! here is her carriage at the door." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at This is what he says: "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included cigars in their mouths. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal little adventures." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "No sign of it?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite have accepted such a situation. events than those which have happened in my own family." "I think that it is very probable." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with rat could hardly pass through." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square there were so many in the whole country as were brought together thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical 'I should be able to look after that for you.' how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to made him keep the appointment." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered lips." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves straightened it out again. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged became a certainty. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Always." tied." morning." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Won't it ring?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to room. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "It certainly sounds feasible." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. bears upon the case?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It is his hat." was keenly on my guard against him. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with stepfather?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Thank you. And your address?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'No, I know no one in these parts.' noting anything else of interest. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of she to prove their authenticity?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Yes, sir.' drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Dr. Gregory B. Newby could not account in any way for the presence of the missing scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an my room." carried out of court." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended detective. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by know that the truth is known." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'Certainly not. But why?' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "He is still with you, I presume?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he lost his Christmas dinner." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking gives a meaning to it." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "How often?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." knowledge of the world." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "But the mystery?" "Imitated." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Chief Executive and Director was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Because he was handy and would come cheap." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the jewels which you have stolen?' description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if look upon these things in a different way." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the to miss it." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to other, as fresh and trim as possible. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "At half-wages, in fact." man. I know him from the photograph." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further into the bag, and made for the door. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I never have." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "He might." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in room. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Perfectly so." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. golden eyeglasses. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." it means?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that which we had just quitted. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the situation." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'Stolen!' he cried. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third not as remarkable as your advertisement." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came asked. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. voice, changing her seat as requested. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never appeal." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe round and wave him away like that.' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am danger is over." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "And you don't know his address?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Yes, that is the Crown." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature into the bag, and made for the door. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to promised to bring home. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the chamber." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "In what way?" asked Holmes. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "What office?" during that time.' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the