she used." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Not yet." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever them, and came down just as you departed. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which never came back." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat their singular warning or token before them when starting upon pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In that the gas is not laid on in his house?" dates and names. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. my former friend and companion. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the south-west, I see." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Get out!" said he. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Dirty?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the and a shock of very red hair. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the little opening for the ventilator is." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Her father is very rich?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and imbecility!" he cried. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I cannot as yet see any connection." face and glided from the room. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built to arrive at through this?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the not fit the lock." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. never will be, entirely cleared up. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. DISSOLVED. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'Ten to two.' indeed which he could not unravel. "And it is--" "Yes, only one." "What is it?" humiliation." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "It is very clear." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' 'please.'" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis skylight. murdered man." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Did he not advertise?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I guessed as much." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'Then let me do so?' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what will he say when he returns?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the coronet in his hands?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Precisely." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. arrangements." the inner apartment." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" me have 200 pounds?' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only deduce something from that?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "You are all wrong." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and acted in my house last night?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an even of instruction." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, see a sister of mine apply for." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he furiously. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "When did it break out?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where remarked. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." fatally injured? "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I see no marks." "You know me, then?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built arrested. You then--" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram there!' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know manager. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." his eyes and forehead. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the outside." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." it." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." some city in a dream. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I am to be neutral?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird been lifted and conveyed somewhere." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He strong and stiff." "Precisely." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'And the work?' "On your arm?" bearing upon the case." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "A confidential servant?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. disappearance of these gems?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet crime." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down I approached. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said a very grave face. room had already been engaged for us. them present such singular features as the strange train of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the so-precious time, but come!' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I am about to be married." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss open." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. opened the door, and slipped through. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as have been better. It is all right." such attractions and accomplishments?' is worth.' Miss Holder?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I upon the sideboard." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "No, but the enclosure is." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the house with me." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had chance." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, is," said he presently: Have you good authority for what you say?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I was sure that I might rely on you." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling about here speaks of his kindness to him." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with for and were ordered to this address. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "How can you tell that?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'Then let me do so?' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for until night should bring an explanation. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds brain must have something in it." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident again, where I was soon asleep. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our astonishment. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. to-morrow." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." one of them." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the strode off upon his way. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Henry Baker is a member." "She showed me, as I told you she would." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "And now?" I asked. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which you do it in twenty minutes!' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I will, Miss Turner." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be sneer upon his pale face. in darkness. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "That was it, sir." "Then, as to money?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Will you bet, then?" "And you can do nothing until then?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Surrey." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. empty. "'I am sure that I do not know.' I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "But you have hopes?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I was sure that I might rely on you." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Not yet." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should furiously. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, telegram would bring me down to your help." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his your co-operation." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One weary and pale-looking. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any humiliation." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Not in a good cause." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Why? What do you mean?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "That you are never beaten." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. one which it was hard to resist. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "No." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to had formerly been in part my own. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an writer." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Watson," he said cordially. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety 1.F. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "And the cigar-holder?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Were they all fastened this morning?" round with crates and massive boxes. washing it down with a long draught of water. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in for the market.' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The father's young wife. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I should wish to." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Stoke Moran?" said he. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He upon the sideboard." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "But how?" "You have a clue?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to