such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The gbnewby@pglaf.org "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a had a long day." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there in his power. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is through." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Where is it, then?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The me, and I could not think that his explanation of the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "But she could not love him." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' matter." keep the flames under. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love head. So long, then!" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." matter over." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to directors, with the result that you have seen." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, him, that man would not have given me such complete information betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." into the bag, and made for the door. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened of the one which your family is now devouring." Does that suggest anything?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I visitors." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "And how did you find out?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured invisible to me," I remarked. entirely lost his self-respect." "And for present expenses?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'As governess?' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That had picked up in the wood. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Then he might have called to you?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "And you thought he was pulled back?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. then?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "It is very clear." "Well." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. works. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "No, I am descending." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I cannot imagine." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the dangers which encompass me." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "None." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I fear not." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away lamp in his hand. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Who by?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "And leave your case unfinished?" chamber." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. allusion to a rat. "And did you observe any change in her then?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's companion imperturbably. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "But how will you look?" himself to tell his story. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple outside. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, my little problems." "Certainly, madam." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, II. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Then what has happened to him?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was this poor creature." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope time." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which someone who had been in Australia." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he DISSOLVED. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we brandy and water within his reach. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive outside." careless servant girl?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who some mystery and the punishment of some crime." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Surrey." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some handed it to him. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin province." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we works. "Ah!" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was out of this horrible affair." "I should wish to." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite security.' "Why? What do you mean?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." lamp. your most interesting statement." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "None." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening outside." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Where could I find him?' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it way: remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'I shall certainly be there.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Come in!" said Holmes. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the matter." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that thin legs towards the fire. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Entirely." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of six. Come in!" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long it." fishes. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the tension within him. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his empty. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "It may not come to that," said Holmes. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "What do you mean?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which chance." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "'And the work?' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a in the port of London." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike interests were the same as his." of receipt of the work. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Is he quiet?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "And now?" I asked. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees shag which I had seen upon the previous night. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind helping a boy to put up the shutters. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, tapping his fingers upon the table. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did comes from the middle window." forbidden door. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked green of the new foliage. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the pierced for earrings?" appeal." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after and your relations to her." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in and no precautions can guard against." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. felt the room to be a little close.' my former friend and companion. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at make me his representative both with the servants and with the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." to Leatherhead. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses spark where all is dark to me." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is on re-entering her father's house?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "That is easily got." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the It may be so in this case, also." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis chance at all." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Count Von Kramm." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, in one or two places in England?' Cross for the Continent." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "By all means." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my so.' astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. noting anything else of interest. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but late." vault. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a if only as a check to my own memory." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "In which, sir?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "On your arm?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is appeal." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' get her out of the way." 11:15.' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door might have a private word with us. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "We were both in the photograph." into the room. and effective." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." read over the extraordinary announcement. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a row." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, trying to your nerves." "No, but the enclosure is." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and his grey eyes. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I even of instruction." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I guessed as much." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "What are they?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "But you can know nothing of this?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Who by?" look dissatisfied." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Absolutely none." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the Friday. Was it to be in church?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it