"Breckinridge is his name." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray upon the sideboard." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the crackling voice. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "But you were on a friendly footing?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "He is dead," cried several voices. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "What! Had he lost his wife?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become families. Now for the facts. over with notes and figures. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden ways of our fellow-men." enter Dr. Roylott's room." are windows in it, of course?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Did he not advertise?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers relation between them, and what the object of his repeated where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "What have you done?" asked Holmes. if she died from some sudden fright." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Then I do not see the point." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. this remarkable episode. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been http://gutenberg.net/license). "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'Certainly,' I answered. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but were unconscious?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. envelope. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Yes." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, suddenly upon us." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "It is possible." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You strange features which were associated with the two crimes which has little to do with my story." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Then let me do so?' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you nothing with him." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "There is the writing." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the ceiling. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and I shall be with you presently." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in foresight and the moral retrogression?" it right.' "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "None." "Bought." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the business came to an end." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "We must have a cab." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Very. But will he see it?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his friends, not even his own brother. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I national property. I was determined that the law should have its "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "You are hungry," I remarked. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Holmes' face clouded over. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me went to the Alpha were town bred." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Now, then, what's the last entry?" appeared upon the scene." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "What, then, did Peterson do?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to newspaper selections." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried go from here to the Strand." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I should like to see him very much." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and files of the old papers, following the future career of every hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Just look it up, then." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and status with the IRS. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has foresight and the moral retrogression?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I am following you closely," I answered. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his could gather together that I was able to avert another public January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' four million human beings all jostling each other within the them present such singular features as the strange train of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." mystery may be cleared along those lines." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and I think that I could be of assistance to you." "No more words. Get out!" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope read it out to me." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I don't say that. Perhaps." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Munro.' "It is very kind of you." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Where to?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how children over to America with him, so that I found myself without touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim newspaper selections." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Well, but China?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "9th. McCauley cleared. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "And on what day did he meet his death?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "'I have heard so.' I nodded again. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and looked back. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in figure." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, bedroom door." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I should like to see him very much." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business door?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "'I have heard so.' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, fattened it expressly for you.' Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which You want to know what became of those geese?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You are all wrong." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. one of the states of the Union." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his problems help me to do so." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Farm upon the left." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening figure." companion quietly. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Have you good authority for what you say?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which indeed happy." digesting their breakfasts at home." one of the states of the Union." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors maiden herself was most instructive." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her was a perfect sample of the class. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy indeed which he could not unravel. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "You have carte blanche." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon cheerful." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens confronted him. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Sholtos." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling way: the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it with you alone." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a hurried away. "But you can know nothing of this?" "Dirty?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down to a light-house. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and highroad, where all traces were lost. Countess of Morcar's?" tapping his fingers upon the table. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the hair?' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "By train from Waterloo." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those seen the man in the road." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. DISSOLVED. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any made him keep the appointment." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off during that time.' dramatic, in fact." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who for the market.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "But he might be a bachelor." it." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "No good news?" your Highness to the police-station?" "How can you tell that?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent fire. You quite follow me?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. lost nothing by them." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it invisible to me," I remarked. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. know what is wrong with it.' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would