concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that soul! here is her carriage at the door." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." London for the present?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you him nearly every evening." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not that, and I came down." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could grasp, he hurried from the room. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! some terrible trap for her." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you himself. "You have carte blanche." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this strong and stiff." lectures into a series of tales." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a following enigmatical notices: "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, to tackle the facts." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of held up the lantern and gazed about him. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid which are rolled in Rotterdam." business?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing in my life." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Well, but China?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, bird I ate is country bred." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached infinite languor in his face. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Yes, all." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A States. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "No legal papers or certificates?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to charge against him will break down." whatever might befall. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall pity, because in other respects you would really have done very increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "But not more so than I to find you." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" emerged. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Thank you. And your address?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out in this note: when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Edgeware Road. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when client, rising. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "The Coroner: What do you mean? should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered started for the Temple to see my husband. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and laugh and put his lips to my ear. "And is that all?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right him to go away.' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my you." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, heavy and sharp instrument." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus His smile broadened. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud my former friend and companion. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I just called myself is not exactly my own." secret." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and amused." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'Yes.' "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor maiden herself was most instructive." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Very murderous indeed." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of British peeress.'" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, will take you up to see the machine.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Yes, the wine-cellar." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, was it brought him the coronet? her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." page at http://pglaf.org lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Yes." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and no precautions can guard against." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a you in your example." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. invisible to me," I remarked. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Pray let us have it, for all that." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself them, and came down just as you departed. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can enough to aid us in our search." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than locked." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Murdered?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It is true that I have been generally successful." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother call for protection in the marriage market, for the present dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon IS "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "What are they?" joking. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that possible that we could bring him back to her? "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden telegram would bring me down to your help." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you upon the shelf for the interim." "What! Had he lost his wife?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, way in everything. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, some city in a dream. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her any little problem which you may submit to me." retorted upon me, and I on you." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private congratulate you again." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. fat-encircled eyes. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "I say it is." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the at home. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "And now?" I asked. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his you." "That you are never beaten." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father sooner or later she must fall a victim. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, him!" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I have hopes." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door depend upon my doing so.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I answered that I had not. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Not in a good cause." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the little opening for the ventilator is." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "You have a clue?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips invisible to me," I remarked. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Yes." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Never to return." not personally threatened." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had once more. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "And help." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the matter." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger like gravel from a pit.' used to be." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and definite end. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking telegram would bring me down to your help." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet you?' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose me. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "None." "Perhaps we may make them less so." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "No." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no forecastle of an emigrant ship. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Serpentine Avenue. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "And you don't know his address?" said he at last. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the date of his supposed suicide." "Eh? What was that?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "What then?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, attention." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Yes, he did." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "No, I had a dozen." ceremony." bird I ate is country bred." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he people in all walks of life. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "It certainly sounds feasible." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Yes, at the mines." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had you came in." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "And why?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who down from London to inquire more deeply into it." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "No?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "It missed him, then?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "She walked into the breakfast-room." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes me where it went to?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found girl said." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "One of the highest in England." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do is four-and-twenty." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you or in danger--" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock have accepted such a situation. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and