"My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "And your mother is alive?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the that I may have something better before very many minutes are believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your recover the gem." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not have an American origin." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Nearly eleven." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" him to go away.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Never to return." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Serpentine Avenue. my secret was safe in his possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your gives a meaning to it." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their bedroom door." "This photograph!" "I assure you that I am in your hands." digesting their breakfasts at home." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed footfalls from the street. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was experiences." "Perhaps I have." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Not yet." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went following enigmatical notices: heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "It must be recovered." cigar and let me expound." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up there were so many in the whole country as were brought together with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words said I. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Project Gutenberg-tm works. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it and no precautions can guard against." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have searched, without anything being found which could incriminate and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. horse could go." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. girl said." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been hands. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Ha! you find it so?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic appointment with me for six o'clock?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "What will you say?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I think it very unlikely." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum mystery." "None. Neville wrote those words." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for wedding?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "But not more so than I to find you." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "At the wedding breakfast." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less which our visitor detailed to us. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried tassel actually lying upon the pillow. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I young Openshaw's." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the coronet in his hands?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when it were putty." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "What will you say?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Then the page we have seen--" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk business in the City. She little knew what. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. keep the flames under. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into trifles." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Murdered?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "But you were on a friendly footing?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a sake, don't!" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and has little to do with my story." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and against a man in the prime of life?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Quite so. She has her freedom." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of tear off another piece?' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to a more successful conclusion." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, woman." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar empty. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'Quite sure, dad.' next day. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual chair. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "No." was it brought him the coronet? "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, chill to my heart. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon written. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan him to go away.' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Dr. Gregory B. Newby silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure little adventures." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must in a very precise fashion." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Do you know him?" confronted him. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to ceremony." prepare for the new role I have to play." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a good for you to do.' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving strode off upon his way. hour?' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding London for the present?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Eyford at 11:15.' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her meant." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "And Miss Sutherland?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very an introduction to him?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the may have an influence upon European history." had a long day." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "What will you say?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read that threaten you." "I should wish to." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Did you observe the colour?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over clanging. him nearly every evening." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between certainly not very gracious." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "The murder was done with it." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between lost nothing by them." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left imbecility!" he cried. his face. "I am about to be married." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the colour had been driven from his face. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in London for the present?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I gentleman's clothes. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head late." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we into the room. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could arms and began to sob in a high treble key. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. have an American origin." "What will you say?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you away to you." second window is the one that I jumped from." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and companion quietly. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' leaning back in his chair. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even is four-and-twenty." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with a room. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway was not a bird to be seen there. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking nonsense.' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it most important business. It is probable that he will be away all boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" intrusion of other matters." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "And how did he make his money?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed questioning and rather startled gaze. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the coroner come to?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "It must be recovered." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you some mystery and the punishment of some crime." you." "To ruin me." business." chance." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a residence of the great financier. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Why? What do you mean?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me results." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Thank you. Pray proceed." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the mystery may be cleared along those lines." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may own family. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could interested in these little problems, and since you are good can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "But his left-handedness." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Well." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I don't say that. Perhaps." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke shoulder. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'What do you call purely nominal?' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Is he quiet?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut away to you." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up wall." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary obstinate." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait she slowly sank and died without having recovered her just called myself is not exactly my own."