convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' for securing the situation." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case tell him that I know him to be innocent." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which some place of shelter and let the county police know what has manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my with her." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture gentleman's clothes. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my hair?' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered would then never go into court at all." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "He said that you could solve anything." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the salesman. this man was intellectual?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Holmes, the busybody!" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" behind me. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what conduct the inquiry." "Yes, it would be as well." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I cannot tell." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the house with me." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. your Highness to the police-station?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I if only as a check to my own memory." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Eyford." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the for securing the situation." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "No more words. Get out!" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his bled considerably." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "But not more so than I to find you." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "It is his hat." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of mystery!" from you?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "How can you tell that?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "You are hungry," I remarked. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We with her." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Which are?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his of receipt of the work. my little problems." fishes. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where his huge brown hands. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, was already answered. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "So I heard. You have him here?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing burst out into a roar of laughter. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window to me. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said than was visible to me." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. nice household for a young lady." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a peculiar to him. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a south, for the country is more deserted there." "She showed me, as I told you she would." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so to a more successful conclusion." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Come in!" said he. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Sholtos." the roots. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. outside. "And you don't know his address?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "How did you trace it, then?" in the port of London." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Yes." "Then he might have called to you?" chair. man. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his any more." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "What, then, did Peterson do?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "When did she vanish, then?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small case before our client came into the room." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I should like to see him very much." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will certainly not very gracious." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Munro.' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to bill, which interests me deeply." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous reach." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "A confidential servant?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the speckled band?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the putting in the horse. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in said I. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. call you and give you the chance." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a this man was intellectual?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one writer." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." approach us with offers to donate. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have woman." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done green of the new foliage. trifles." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was be there in time for your coming." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "But you were on a friendly footing?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to murdered man." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point letters?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I am armed." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my jewels which you have stolen?' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he For additional contact information: "Her father is very rich?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Stoke Moran." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a throat." take the flies, but not before." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective I was concerned in it." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'What are you doing there?' he asked. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable situation." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Did you observe the colour?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She locked. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'Yes, sir.' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by gone before you can get him to hospital." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert showing my impatience. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine views." lumber-room." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Two days later this same performance was gone through under in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the success. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his or other trace. But how on earth--" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "But how did you gain them?" "Very murderous indeed." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should nonsense.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Ah, but I was recommended to you." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'Ample.' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror one else, I think." bird I ate is country bred." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "But how?" a suggestive one." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I cannot tell." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful quick march!" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said wall." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else do." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our wedding?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey minor matters until to-morrow." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from of." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his question," said Holmes, smiling. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project during that time.' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Was the window open?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and tell me that you intended to go into harness." invisible to me," I remarked. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the You want to know what became of those geese?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Then I am your man." was a loud and authoritative tap. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Clair, of Lee." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as infinite languor in his face. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Not in a good cause." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the station." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "It must be recovered." what these perils are?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will lumber-room." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as carried out of court." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Quite so." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door door?" "I shall be delighted." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of you came in." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "10th. John Swain cleared. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this call you and give you the chance." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is dead, shall be safe with us." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I will do it." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, in him." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and your only hope of safety." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. what I may call a really hard day's work." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible like gravel from a pit.' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "A confidential servant?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination which we had just quitted. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was