"But I am all in the dark." "Who was the criminal, then?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." at once, for I have only half an hour." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the station." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you girl said." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the his wife has ceased to love him." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "The murder was done with it." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Your sister is dead, then?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. I shall communicate with you." families. Now for the facts. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "It is a murder, then?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the she to prove their authenticity?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'Then let me do so?' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was to you." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the morning and make my own way in the world.' were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the house with me." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Perfectly so." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. you, my dear young lady?' quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I prisoner's face. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "What do you mean?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Now, then, what's the last entry?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "It was a confession," I ejaculated. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall secret." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried God! What an exposure! What can I do?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' ways of our fellow-men." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "No, my brougham is waiting." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I do." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back tell him that I know him to be innocent." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "What is it?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the bottom.' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my you came in." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be fact, we may call it conclusive." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for me." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "What can it mean?" I gasped. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and all of them with the keenest interest. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to crowd. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "ARAT," I read. "Yes, at the mines." our word." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more You want to know what became of those geese?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the system of imprisonment?" "It is very kind of you." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The a few minutes he said that it would be all right. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss lost nothing by them." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'Is purely nominal.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are tell them apart.' "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "He disappeared so suddenly." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had forehead. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out other lovers by making love himself." himself in a perplexing position. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Yes, but only for you and me." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'About the same.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I cannot tell." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must in my life." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey know what is wrong with it.' your own bird, so if you wish--" pound a week." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to in my life." may never be exposed to such a temptation." hurried away. a very grave face. was a perfect sample of the class. seem to you to be relevant or not." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, together. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Perhaps I have." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the Red-headed League." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Yes, he did." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." tell them apart.' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the brandy and water within his reach. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. writers could invent nothing more crude." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Here?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Certainly." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It three of the beryls in it, was missing. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. despaired of." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been hair?' hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into about. "I am following you closely," I answered. "By no means." knowledge of the world." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I should wish to." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full on in his house." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "My stepfather's business papers." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, were unconscious?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so round and wave him away like that.' can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of status with the IRS. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," character. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an could go. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while asked. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass is four-and-twenty." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, records." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in papers." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this a suggestive one." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "And what then?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that I am arrested." of the way of danger. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he believe that I should never have any practice at all. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from village inn over there?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "But his left-handedness." to miss it." "You know me, then?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." went to the Alpha were town bred." electronic works "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at could not account in any way for the presence of the missing power." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "How on earth--" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing is worth.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, once more. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated definite end. important." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." deduce something from that?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I promise," said Holmes. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "He is still with you, I presume?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied him to be an active member of the medical profession." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would in the dead of the night?' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were were new raised from a basin. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "That is easily got." remarked. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to opened the door, and slipped through. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "My private note-paper." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I what these perils are?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who appeared upon the scene." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, light and attacked it." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently woman who has had her own way to make in the world. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "There is the writing." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when call for it in person on Monday morning.' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or