she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'About the same.' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small tapping his fingers upon the table. ourselves in the office." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the goes." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than his cane at the bell-pull. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, wanted for ourselves." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. business." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." have accepted such a situation. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not father's young wife. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was sneer upon his pale face. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "You have compromised yourself seriously." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I DISSOLVED. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little of campaign. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I fear not." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the fashion which was peculiar to him. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal brandy and water within his reach. shall use the carriage to-night." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Stoke Moran?" said he. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. is a common subject for conversation. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the side-table." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said in his hands." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, be sorry for having acted so harshly." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "What, then, did Peterson do?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. exactly what you advise." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, bell. Holmes whistled. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that towards the blaze. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "And help." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with words came to my lips. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." outside." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the horse could go." chance." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is that you saw all that I did." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. purpose of examination. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. your sleep?' there were so many in the whole country as were brought together hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Where, then?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "No, thank goodness, she did not." I. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would results." "My dear Holmes!" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I with her." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier breakfast?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached address. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the awaited us upon the table. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. gentleman's clothes. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of formed some opinion?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a advice." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys bearing upon the case." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' character. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "In which, sir?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Does that suggest anything?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a pictures, libraries, or plate. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Holmes' thin, eager face. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded himself to tell his story. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with you?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a seem to you to be relevant or not." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Precisely." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. standing smiling on the door-step. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" garden below. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I was afraid that you were engaged." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Nearly eleven." "A call for help, you thought?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Yes." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'I shall certainly be there.' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be depend upon my doing so.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "It was." "But how did you gain them?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their nonsense.' "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black be there in time for your coming." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Your presence might be invaluable." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to might help us?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. bird of prey. I held the little printed slip to the light. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he of this gang." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should your Highness to the police-station?" anything to do with the matter?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I promise," said Holmes. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel stood on the top of it. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger kindly on the shoulder. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." that I may have something better before very many minutes are Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Arthur Conan Doyle hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to already been minutely examined." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Surrey." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton call it cruel." "Certainly." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Was there a secret marriage?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel meanly of me." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you of Mr. Rucastle's." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless writer." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind rat could hardly pass through." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the night.' for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. was a lad." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "What then?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was disturbance in my wife." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the quickly through a disagreeable task. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "About a month then." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Where, then?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do ways of our fellow-men." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to be best to do. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have upon the white wrist. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "The best possible." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "By train from Waterloo." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy that, and I came down." public press." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden bell. Holmes whistled. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four For additional contact information: me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable will find little credit to be gained out of this case." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Was the window open?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "But who is he?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, off." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, deduce something from that?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by one's self under obligations.' handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my business." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord off." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the to tackle the facts." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. him to go away.' about. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do retorted upon me, and I on you." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "How can you tell that?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the will he say when he returns?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "What! a murderous attack?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one to-morrow." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and once more to my work. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few criminal. We have already had experience of such." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than hour?' had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had his fortune, and I went back to pa. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands in your London, you will know that the office of the company is business came to an end." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, my room." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their that I may have something better before very many minutes are Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a cup of tea. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which voice, changing her seat as requested. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his hurried away. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Not social, then?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the during which he might have communicated with his friend the putting in the horse. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both most important business. It is probable that he will be away all is worth.' "It is solved." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily all that?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that wanted for ourselves." I nodded to show that I had heard. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'What, the red-headed man?' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the this unhappy family?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I have my revolver," said I. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while relation between them, and what the object of his repeated ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." had this final quarrel? expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A me." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "It certainly sounds feasible." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I me what he had done with the three missing stones. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Pope's Court. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The room had already been engaged for us. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a