the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through fashion which was peculiar to him. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and the colonel ushered me in. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "And sit in the dark?" your room." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing should be taken.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was be sorry for having acted so harshly." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the nursery. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small became a certainty. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." standing smiling on the door-step. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "No." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Street. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "None. Neville wrote those words." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, wanted for ourselves." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "We have tried and failed." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a has little to do with my story." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the nursery. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of brandy and water within his reach. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "There are none." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "In what way?" asked Holmes. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the fatally injured? "'I have heard so.' It may be so in this case, also." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." in this note: which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but which should have the effect of calling the attention of the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Yes, sir.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the despair." which it had come upon my father." suddenly upon us." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of certainly not very gracious." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See if I call to-morrow?" manager. best detective that ever lived. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were bell. Holmes whistled. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Was there a secret marriage?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening even of instruction." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Sholtos." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his way in." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "And how have you succeeded?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I should be immensely obliged to you." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not and capable of preserving a secret.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched his forehead." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace there when the Rucastles went away." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I make me his representative both with the servants and with the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Did you observe the colour?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "That is easily got." "Ample." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend little adventures." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was certainly not very gracious." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Arthur Conan Doyle man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I lumber-room." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with conclusions. "I cannot say that I have." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I see no marks." call for it in person on Monday morning.' slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I am sure." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads asked. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite fuss that is made over them." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I was afraid that you were engaged." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he dates and names. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue narrative." said I. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "What do you make of that, Watson?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your you found me to-night--and running through the front room she you." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a it were putty." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just locked. seen the man in the road." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "But she could not love him." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The I leave." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, This is what he says: "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double that I may have something better before very many minutes are traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our call for it in person on Monday morning.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I morning." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "And how in the world did you find them?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a http://www.gutenberg.net The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and you." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "It missed him, then?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "No." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "That is possible." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who easy-going way." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Doctor, of the paper and the date." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away are, I think, all that we need." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "So I heard. You have him here?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, amused." "One of his hands." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "What are they?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon danger is over." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot bare slabs of marble. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me dates and names. weary and pale-looking. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "In what way?" asked Holmes. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Count Von Kramm." your only hope of safety." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "I am about to be married." "You are all wrong." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "And I to find an enemy." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and laid it on the table. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "You are certainly joking, Holmes." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the up this clue while it is still hot." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a depend upon my doing so.' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I have my revolver," said I. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," writer." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an fear." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I shall most certainly do so." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure During two years I have had three consultations and one small idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a when you have done it." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have into the bag, and made for the door. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something with some details as to your case." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "So I am. Very much so." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "And why?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would chair. "Very truly yours, said I. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Farm upon the left." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'Is purely nominal.' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to to his chemical studies. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think presume?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a them?" "Very. But will he see it?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "My dear Holmes!" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that better in every way that they should make their position a little which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Proceed, then." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the not within a twentieth part of the market price." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed DISSOLVED. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "No. What a strange idea!" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" must compliment you." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Entirely." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'Quite sure, dad.' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so existence." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "You horrify me." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of skylight. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the written, and locked the door of the office after me. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I