those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." them present such singular features as the strange train of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me experiences." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that it were putty." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down orange pips. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, arrested. You then--" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the on in his house." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account than to us. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "But not more so than I to find you." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there him nearly every evening." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Upon what point?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a case before our client came into the room." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the room while you explain this matter?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left stood on the top of it. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as presented more singular features than that which was associated the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Yes, sir.' ready to-morrow?' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well any." for and were ordered to this address. arrested. You then--" "No, finished." morning." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "ARAT," I read. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have your troubles." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Very. But will he see it?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Witness: I must still refuse. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the ceiling. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an interest. They are important, you understand, without being matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and in my life." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society morning." "Pray do so." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon be there in time for your coming." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, memory. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "And what then?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I cannot tell." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa if she died from some sudden fright." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the so-precious time, but come!' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." lamp. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would may never be exposed to such a temptation." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the Assizes." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how arms and began to sob in a high treble key. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'You doubt its value?' he asked. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was about here speaks of his kindness to him." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I am still in the dark." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Certainly." orange pips. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "It is true that I have been generally successful." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of husband's writing, madam." matters immensely." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Eyford." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the anything to do with the matter?" assist you in forming an opinion." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "It looks newer than the other things?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which this Miss Turner." at a side door. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Not in the least." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "In San Francisco, a year ago." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Then you may be so with me." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which as yours." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away he bowed and left the room without another word. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: fatally injured? little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are detained." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "What I expected to see." knowledge of the world." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "To ruin me." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Can I be of assistance?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I am all attention, madam." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Does that suggest anything?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." asked. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the I shall continue with my miserable story. relief. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a round and wave him away like that.' fishes. Street. served to weaken the effect. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from during which he might have communicated with his friend the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "No, finished." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Witness: It was. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "How on earth--" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence go back?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." not come at once?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Yes." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Not I." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'Which dealer's?' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I have solved it." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Have you good authority for what you say?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "And I say east," said my patient. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One go--none." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and it need not interfere very much with one's other akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "No, I think that I'll take it." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "No, I had a dozen." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "What office?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go your Highness to the police-station?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "No. What a strange idea!" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Not social, then?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It events, Mr. Windibank!" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up in his hands." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have his grey eyes. "Upon what point?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin before the coroner and the police-court." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice despaired of." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From about here speaks of his kindness to him." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "No." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." even of instruction." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of get her out of the way." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" said he. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "And how have you succeeded?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. such person." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness charged with?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Nor running a chance of arrest?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and keep the flames under. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Not him." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. people don't know." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Stolen." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and works. See paragraph 1.E below. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds ways of our fellow-men." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "My opinion is in no way altered." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal horse could go." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham touch that coronet?' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we with you alone." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Was the window open?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to brain must have something in it." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a rat could hardly pass through." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the beyond words. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "But the mystery?" "But she will refuse." roused himself from his reverie. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the