people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, be. upon the white wrist. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "No good news?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door this unhappy family?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Holmes." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "My Mary? Impossible!" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. cause to be." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a way in." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you to surprise her." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the coronet in his hand?" evidence," I remarked. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the best of training." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." gives a meaning to it." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the tragedy. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as asked with his eyes open. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, The King stared at him in amazement. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that was already answered. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'Very good.' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is this as likely?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. charge against him will break down." "And when will you call?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent forecastle of an emigrant ship. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "It is possible." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I say that I have solved it." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my train.' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I late!' arrested. You then--" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an sparkled upon his finger. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "He slept on the premises." your billet.' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet events than those which have happened in my own family." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Not I." "Will you bet, then?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "You have it, sir, just as it happened." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and you give your casting vote to?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Do you know him?" "We have tried and failed." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "In heaven's name, what for?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client to tackle the facts." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I am armed." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at 11:15.' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'Where could I find him?' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "None." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might your sleep?' was already answered. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was best detective that ever lived. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" then?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white you for a few hours?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand any little problem which you may submit to me." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to back alive. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should extraordinary contortions. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "And your mother is alive?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Tired-looking or fresh?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the you." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Yes." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began three fields round his house, and there he would take his labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working you do it in twenty minutes!' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "No." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the despaired of." "Witness: I must still refuse. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all question you as to those details which seem to me to be most and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' joking. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "No." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon interests were the same as his." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them hurried by. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "On your arm?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." before, for it was considerably after midnight. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking soul! here is her carriage at the door." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. such attractions and accomplishments?' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness neither fascinating nor artistic." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Your presence might be invaluable." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I promise," said Holmes. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask made him keep the appointment." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Can I be of assistance?" compunction about shooting them down." Count Von Kramm." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing in the port of London." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion go from here to the Strand." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, arrested. You then--" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Yesterday." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no corner of the building. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact meant it for the best. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the remarked. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "He disappeared so suddenly." Mrs. Toller serenely. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the side. have one." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from trying to your nerves." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I guessed as much." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "There are none." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended been with you?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "But what is it you wish?" south, for the country is more deserted there." once more to my work. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Yes." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I cannot imagine." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and effective." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we delighted to hear it," he said. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I strong reason behind." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Has he come with you to-night?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Then I can wait in the next room." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the retorted upon me, and I on you." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I would give my fortune to have them back." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "On the contrary, this is the right side." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set to-morrow." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally I am not easy in my mind about them." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "None." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The gentleman's clothes. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper thin legs towards the fire. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "That was it, sir." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "I have come for advice." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "9th. McCauley cleared. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "No." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "How about poison?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the salesman. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our enter into my head. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Cross for the Continent." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Yes, at the mines." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to be. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Did you become engaged then?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may of a light. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas hurried away. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for me have 200 pounds?' "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that have been better. It is all right." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.'