layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Never,' said I. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that gone before you can get him to hospital." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I neither fascinating nor artistic." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us of them has the shutters up.' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect at once, for I have only half an hour." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "But not more so than I to find you." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "By train from Waterloo." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." invisible to me," I remarked. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of burst out into a roar of laughter. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk tied." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "You saw the ventilator, too?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "It is very kind of you." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I think that it is very probable." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet are windows in it, of course?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could lamp in his hand. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "What then?" habit of advancing money.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to developed." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "She will not sell." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The overpowering excitement and concern. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "They are typewritten," I remarked. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be as yours." did not hear it also.' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "But his left-handedness." row." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. joking. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'What then?' I asked. "I beg pardon." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it rooms." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "It's nothing of the kind." "Murdered?" McCarthy." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I voice. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted over part of the map. "What do you read?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Which are?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I don't say that. Perhaps." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage night.' said he. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. during that time.' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Very much so." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even It may be so in this case, also." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would not come at once?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just make me his representative both with the servants and with the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, important." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. heavy and sharp instrument." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to speckled band?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "My opinion is in no way altered." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." drawing your inferences." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, or in danger--" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very head. So long, then!" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them train from Paddington which would bring you there at about brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project union?" "No?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." a monotonous occupation." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." them?" union?" you for a few hours?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the morning and make my own way in the world.' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Count Von Kramm." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then, how do you know?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I have hopes." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my but preventing her from injuring another. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "The King of Scandinavia." Holmes. place no limit on the sum I may draw." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a to change my dress. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "What?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This my room." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had all that?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "It is very kind of you." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Nothing?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "At half-wages, in fact." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each lamp. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." will be renamed. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "What is it?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you any." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed photograph?" companion imperturbably. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a giving me time to thank him. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "What can you not understand?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the one as in the other." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and ashen face. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Did your wife hear all this?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the could gather together that I was able to avert another public large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut six. Come in!" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass of the vacancies.' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "But I have heard all that you have heard." "You think that he is dead?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "By all means." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "What will you say?" I. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to nonsense.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But business?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with golden eyeglasses. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence gone. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw without success. At last the little money which I had saved began who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left be. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." that threaten you." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite through." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Street. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or formed some opinion?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar your sleep?' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be fire. You quite follow me?" rooms." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Where, indeed?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Nothing." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "A greater distance to travel." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon was used.' look dissatisfied." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a that he has suffered." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "So I have heard." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "What do you mean?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 note?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation fear." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as that there was nothing in it, after all." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "My private note-paper." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Of what day?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon very old mansion. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Literary Archive Foundation at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion infinite languor in his face. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I could gather together that I was able to avert another public head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the eavesdroppers?' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered 11:15.' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and several quiet little villages up there." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he cup of tea. o'clock is it?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little your only hope of safety." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him The events in question occurred in the early days of my It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, spark where all is dark to me." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. light and attacked it." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Could he throw no light?" Chief Executive and Director case before our client came into the room." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police not, dad?" she asked. "'Stolen!' he cried. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Count Von Kramm." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he