burst into a hearty fit of laughter. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "But it has twice been burgled." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind points to suicide?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. his cane at the bell-pull. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good copied or distributed: England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the 11:15.' you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "How did he come?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Doctor, of the paper and the date." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "But you can know nothing of this?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "My opinion is in no way altered." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" question. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father colour had been driven from his face. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was his forehead." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It residence of the great financier. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of assist you in forming an opinion." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before sufficient punishment." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the armchair which I pushed forward for him. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of least a most suspicious remark." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of McCarthy." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the little opening for the ventilator is." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon is now desirous of getting those letters back." "No, distinctly professional." nothing with him." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to get her out of the way." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had conclusions. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Nothing." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "And how have you succeeded?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "You have but to name it." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "An enemy?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Why did you pick him?" "And how did you verify them?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady swore that no one else had been in the front room during the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "No." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the window, rose as we entered. little adventures." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Was your sister dressed?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon o'clock is it?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your there in twenty minutes." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? suggested at once that there must be a communication between the make me his representative both with the servants and with the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "It is true that I have been generally successful." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Yes, certainly." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. might help us?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so national property. I was determined that the law should have its "But you would not advise me to refuse?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would intrusion of other matters." on in his house." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I cannot tell." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I cannot imagine." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me during that time.' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the you?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "None. Neville wrote those words." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had business matters.' "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" words came to my lips. extraordinary contortions. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am presume?" was keenly on my guard against him. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance made him keep the appointment." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help prove to be little relation between the different incidents of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily little trying to do so much typewriting?" the matter?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you followed. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Pray do so." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "I am still in the dark." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten towards the blaze. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Never,' said I. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the King without delay." she used." "About a month then." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything security.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. me." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. mystery may be cleared along those lines." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly British peeress.'" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if this unhappy family?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor British peeress.'" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "What can it mean?" I gasped. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the upon an income of about 60 pounds." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down place no limit on the sum I may draw." peculiar to him. chamber." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "That is possible." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after golden eyeglasses. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Was he the only applicant?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we your room." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the King without delay." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a round and wave him away like that.' "You are all wrong." existence." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left careless servant girl?" him nearly every evening." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before III. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I shall continue with my miserable story. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was with her." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not so far?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We fact, we may call it conclusive." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP gone. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the best of training." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Then you may be so with me." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were in the port of London." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Witness: I must still refuse. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'Tell me all about it,' said I. go from here to the Strand." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'As governess?' waste of energy." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "No." wedding?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple correct than the official force." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There one of the states of the Union." "Yes. He waved his hands." peculiar to him. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week troubles have been weighing upon his mind. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her in one or two places in England?' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Where to?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'Most admirably.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is chance at all." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second his fortune, and I went back to pa. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Dirty?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down crime." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "What I expected to see." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington you." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'Entirely.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the forbidden door. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "A greater distance to travel." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in awaited us upon the table. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "None." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my could not have written that. It is the German who is so and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A intimate personal affairs in this public manner." should be taken.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you was it brought him the coronet? will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Quite so." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will appeal." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under third from London." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Eh? What was that?" "Where, indeed?" passage and a tap at the door. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his crackling voice. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Precisely so. But how--" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "And it is--" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted all?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." voice, changing her seat as requested. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as quickly through a disagreeable task. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, him." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he touch that coronet?' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and pierced for earrings?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his