is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done away to you." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I back to my heart. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce events than those which have happened in my own family." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and have this put in the evening papers." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that it." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. where she found matters as described by the last witness. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic corner of the building. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's States. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew could go. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Farm upon the left." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "No, I had a dozen." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "By no means." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black photograph?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has his knees, staring into the fire. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in of this gang." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and you give your casting vote to?" For additional contact information: it means?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Here?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "No, but the enclosure is." roused himself from his reverie. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Street. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "No bad?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its question," said Holmes, smiling. would apply.' But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of second window is the one that I jumped from." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Where, then, is my wife?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never once more for Briony Lodge. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is lips." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what some place of shelter and let the county police know what has husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Yes." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "By all means." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I man. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my mysterious business." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. he. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the best of training." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much intrusion of other matters." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned likely to be some crony of the landlady's." business at Coburg Square is serious." "Where to?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "And the cigar-holder?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'Yes.' turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "9th. McCauley cleared. at home. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if manager. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "And when will you call?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Where, indeed?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the bell. Holmes whistled. tied." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "One?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I outside. "That is not always so easy." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "But how?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and inquire as to the address." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from read it out to me." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "What are they?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he infinite languor in his face. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, when your master had gone out." indeed which he could not unravel. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper despaired of." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Pray do so." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged think, you have already met." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting shoulder. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Frequently." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with name is different." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose nights." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked it. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Why? What do you mean?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Where, indeed?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the everything which you would wish to know." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "It is possible." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too official police." again." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "No. His orders were to stay in the house." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered skylight. "Not particularly." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I know where it is." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have salesman. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" populous neighbourhood." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Ample." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a his grey eyes. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Then, how do you know?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this in the hope of finding them." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "You are all wrong." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen foot. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "If I can be of use." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the sneer upon his pale face. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which his wife has ceased to love him." "'What do you call purely nominal?' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? will find little credit to be gained out of this case." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, think that he is innocent?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. charged with?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Married! When?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired one's self under obligations.' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue foresight and the moral retrogression?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, his knees, staring into the fire. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by problems help me to do so." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'Yes, sir.' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." developed." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I have established a very serious case against the son of the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in one or two places in England?' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, The King stared at him in amazement. that you wished to speak to me?' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Precisely." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Then how many are there?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "May I see it?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." could not have written that. It is the German who is so round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things you?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said been deceived." dramatic, in fact." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly guilty one." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Quite so." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the a room. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Then the page we have seen--" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, whatever might befall. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "You horrify me!" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I cannot tell." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" never came back." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the an introduction to him?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I am to be neutral?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Sutherland?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "You did not overhear what they said?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "You have compromised yourself seriously." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" have been better. It is all right." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the been shamefully used." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Lee, in the county of Kent." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or with some details as to your case." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it empty. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the was not a bird to be seen there. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this you." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master to talk it over. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. row." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." writer." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there assist you in forming an opinion." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither asked with his eyes open. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I am still in the dark." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business six. Come in!" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and laid it on the table. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "And why?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out to-morrow." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no my little problems." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Pope's Court. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the records." "I should wish to." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any shag which I had seen upon the previous night. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his examination of the premises, but without finding anything which chill to my heart. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into such attractions and accomplishments?' "I have seen the police."