it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in too. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I cannot tell." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Were they all fastened this morning?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "She will not sell." "Yes, from Horsham." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and I shall be with you presently." forbidden door. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an bare slabs of marble. think that any burglar could have done. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold felt the room to be a little close.' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John village inn over there?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then cigar and let me expound." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the distinguish the words: "You don't mind breaking the law?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. friend's singular character. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes good-night and bustled off upon her way. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Project Gutenberg-tm works. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated official police." is four-and-twenty." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a have an American origin." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "What?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "And I say east," said my patient. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand just ask you whether you had heard it.' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'It is locked up,' I answered. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. shoulder. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "But his left-handedness." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend presume?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "It is no ordinary one." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Thank you. And your address?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may than was visible to me." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I burst into a hearty fit of laughter. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Yes, it was twisted." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Not in the least." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Your presence might be invaluable." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Sutherland?" correct than the official force." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the address that was given us in the advertisement. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be strode off upon his way. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, was already answered. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in him to go away.' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited call the police, let the police find what they can.' and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "That is easily got." "In what way?" asked Holmes. hereditary King of Bohemia." "None." "What are they?" again, where I was soon asleep. McCarthy." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the persecution?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us shoulder; "he's all right." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "What do you mean?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "It is solved." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and records." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and wait." into the room. only touch the interest." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as tied." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, an introduction to him?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him strange features which were associated with the two crimes which was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "It is no ordinary one." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the that he has suffered." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My telegram would bring me down to your help." to surprise her." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter morning." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'Where could I find him?' "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were since then to throw any light upon what became of him." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, of receipt of the work. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a him to be an active member of the medical profession." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such never will be, entirely cleared up. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as new duties?' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "My dear Holmes!" address. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a before the coroner and the police-court." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the running down." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" from the brougham. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "My own seal." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to minor matters until to-morrow." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Nothing." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how to his chemical studies. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "What! a murderous attack?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into opened a pocket-book and took out a note. place of silver." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Nothing." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had individual and becomes the badge of a society." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Where is it, then?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous this man was intellectual?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the house with me." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is IS "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and public press." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a you in yours." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "My dear Holmes!" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to allusion to a rat. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. already been minutely examined." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not results." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "The King of Scandinavia." "'As governess?' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely perplexity from it to my illustrious client. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the if she died from some sudden fright." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, shoulder. "That is easily got." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' disappearance of the bride.'" have established a very serious case against the son of the "You think so, too?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "But you can know nothing of this?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though hereditary King of Bohemia." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. go back?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the 'please.'" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall my special province." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I beg pardon." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. overpowering excitement and concern. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned security.' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; who was a member of your goose club." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an begun to whiten, even as mine has." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from bled considerably." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' that I can to serve you." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the examine." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'Yes, it was gone.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Murdered?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Was he the only applicant?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something least a most suspicious remark." prisoner's face. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "At the wedding breakfast." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of such attractions and accomplishments?' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous green of the new foliage. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "No, I had a dozen." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." one's self under obligations.' here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Yes, sir." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase be. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "And you thought he was pulled back?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "What I expected to see." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the residence of the great financier. "Get out!" said he. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed made his money." bill, which interests me deeply." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to go back?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, power." "The best possible." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. acquaintance?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "That is easily got." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me