very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, strength of mind to control. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Nothing." public press." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, village inn over there?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either friend's singular character. any little problem which you may submit to me." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote business came to an end." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, my secret was safe in his possession. better grown goose." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning strong and stiff." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "By no means." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers matter over." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Now, then, what's the last entry?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "You think so, too?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "About a month then." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of a light. paper in the air. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, recover the gem." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here business matters.' forehead. started for the Temple to see my husband. "They are typewritten," I remarked. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you back alive. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. written. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the date of his supposed suicide." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "So I have heard." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Indeed! Whose, then?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" them?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" noting anything else of interest. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the best detective that ever lived. lamp. "I will try. What is it?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their could not have written that. It is the German who is so from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Absolutely none." "I answered that I had not. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria his face. do." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built grasp, he hurried from the room. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "My dear Holmes!" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Absolutely none." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was I think that I could be of assistance to you." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying My friend smiled. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "You have it, sir, just as it happened." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "It is very clear." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? voice, changing her seat as requested. "But how?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether drawing your inferences." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "This photograph!" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." asked with his eyes open. the nursery. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Yes." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in of note-paper. It read in this fashion: elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly in. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. answer." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of know what is wrong with it.' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire for securing the situation." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the Friday. Was it to be in church?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Dirty?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, papers on the sundial.'" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "What shall I do?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should province." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Yes, it would be as well." "An enemy?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, figure." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the best of training." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one with the outside air!" "Nothing." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. manager. manager. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and the church but not where the lady lived." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" fat-encircled eyes. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the hard-headed British jury." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Yes." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less to-night's adventure." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "A call for help, you thought?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' the driver. closely." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "What is it, then--a fire?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "What!" he roared. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. to-night's adventure." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has figure." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to your billet.' "Indeed! Whose, then?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project papers must be those that are destroyed.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I shall be delighted." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I am about to be married." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated beg that you will break it off." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against unkempt, staring out at me. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and man. I know him from the photograph." "What can you not understand?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which is now desirous of getting those letters back." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the to Leatherhead. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is sofa. This way, please!" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able him. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I that you wished to speak to me?' "And I to find an enemy." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Yes, all." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent be sorry for having acted so harshly." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "ARAT," I read. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Certainly." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Witness: It was. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Bought." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I am sure." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "May I see it?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Thank you. Pray proceed." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, certainly not very gracious." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a address. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them and it need not interfere very much with one's other sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was bears upon the case?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, asked. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Have you good authority for what you say?" said I. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to-night?" I asked. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the inquest, and which are worth considering." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I cannot imagine." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson into the bag, and made for the door. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was You want to know what became of those geese?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have a little more before I quite committed myself. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you my room." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Why did you beat the pavement?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief figure." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Have you her photograph?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Have you it here?" me where it went to?" "And how?" felt?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Only as much as we can deduce." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of joking. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very giving me time to thank him. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name papers must be those that are destroyed.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is