suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or have not had my rubber." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may tapping his fingers upon the table. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "None." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of tail." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "From his hat?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. upon a handsome competence. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "A client, then?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon your troubles." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had will he say when he returns?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." key of the affair now." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Not particularly." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a discontent upon his features. to a more successful conclusion." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to interested in these little problems, and since you are good at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties been able to understand it, in a very few words. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their do." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "But his lameness?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the window when the police appeared." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "But you were on a friendly footing?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "And why in hopes?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "What! You do not mean bodies?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa if only as a check to my own memory." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the room had already been engaged for us. "Ample." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it certainly do as you advise." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any nonsense.' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course colour had been driven from his face. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the handed it to him. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's will not take me long to tell. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Holmes, the busybody!" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." drawing your inferences." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." some terrible trap for her." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have habit of advancing money.' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which stood on the top of it. chemical work which was so dear to him. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom call for protection in the marriage market, for the present whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the remarked. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom business matters.' of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Stolen." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All hands. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'It is locked up,' I answered. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his head. So long, then!" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in who was a member of your goose club." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my I approached. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I think it very unlikely." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally hard-headed British jury." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the even of instruction." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I trifles." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten congratulate you again." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "You horrify me." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. prepare for the new role I have to play." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of a light. "About a month then." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I should like to see him very much." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was never to learn it at all." key turn in the lock." you for a few hours?" "She will not sell." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, said he at last. My friend smiled. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. giving me time to thank him. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Leadenhall Street--and--" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque of the way of danger. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "It goes to the housekeeper's room." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern along the entire front of the house, with three long windows With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Yes, sir." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, least a fellow-countryman. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Precisely so. But how--" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Bought." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "No." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our been deceived." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "What then?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. touch that coronet?' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Lee, in the county of Kent." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "But how will you look?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "But how will you look?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be British peeress.'" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Yes?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "But his left-handedness." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I said he at last. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be I nodded to show that I had heard. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past directors have had misgivings upon the subject." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the meant." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Which surely he restored to their owner?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, to talk it over. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock families. Now for the facts. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the are, and they are waiting for us." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery recover the gem." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Of Friday, June 19th." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had with some details as to your case." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Have you her photograph?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes already been minutely examined." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was I shall communicate with you." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "There is the writing." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his will find little credit to be gained out of this case." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to point in the dark hollow of his hand. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so at my own good fortune. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the visitors." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Bought." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Of Friday, June 19th." to his chemical studies. populous neighbourhood." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against and I shall be with you presently." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and outsides of the windows. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we congratulate you again." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of ventilator." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I say it is." following enigmatical notices: "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking cost them two and thirty pounds." "Very truly yours, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'As governess?' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my orange pips. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "And I to find an enemy." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With asked with his eyes open. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should gone. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about walking." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. pressing in one house as in another. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Pray do so." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." delirious. Count Von Kramm." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. highroad, where all traces were lost. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen gone. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Entirely.' to-night." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank delirious. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Yes, but only for you and me." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his six. Come in!" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Henry Baker is a member." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate what do you think they found in the pockets?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as yards of it?' over with notes and figures. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the a monotonous occupation." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End 1.F.