His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between generous with you in money matters.' vault. and looked back. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the second window is the one that I jumped from." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "But she could not love him." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the warnings." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, just ask you whether you had heard it.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as in. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the station." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See said he at last. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. keep the flames under. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite key turn in the lock." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the ceiling. me where it went to?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. floor. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I will, Miss Turner." "My dear Holmes!" entirely devoid of interest." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to flock.' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of man. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a again before evening." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a noting anything else of interest. "And now?" He raised his hand. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and the church but not where the lady lived." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but it." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got sooner or later she must fall a victim. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "'Ample.' "Only as much as we can deduce." of your young ladies.' forehead. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive there when the Rucastles went away." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the warnings." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" writing, and yet I know it well." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." I am not easy in my mind about them." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "But his left-handedness." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "What! You do not mean bodies?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, something of him before." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'And the work?' we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Get out!" said he. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Will you bet, then?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit works. See paragraph 1.E below. again, where I was soon asleep. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut there." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Yes, they were peculiar boots." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "By all means." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet any." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation matter." "I am to be neutral?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in your troubles." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly pierced for earrings?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the stable lane now." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to cigars in their mouths. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Did you become engaged then?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the indeed happy." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well locked. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the certainly not very gracious." "No?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; cause to be." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Of Friday, June 19th." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The morning." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She returning from some small jollification and was making his way with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in she used." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose prepare for the new role I have to play." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Did you become engaged then?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will wedding?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "And I say east," said my patient. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "My own seal." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "They are typewritten," I remarked. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "What are they?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I should wish to." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. before, for it was considerably after midnight. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity ill-usage at the hands of fortune. prison!" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no said I. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, in his hands." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which views." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set that you can jump it.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the coronet at all injured?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up chair. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Certainly,' I answered. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune up this clue while it is still hot." said he at last. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, conduct the inquiry." "Pray continue your narrative." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your was already answered. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Where, then, is my wife?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Stolen." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the fuss that is made over them." brain must have something in it." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "You are all wrong." call you and give you the chance." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, 'please.'" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be have had none more fantastic than this." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and a shock of very red hair. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Why did you beat the pavement?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine had a long day." memory. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' death." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "And why?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the salesman. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and detained." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Ha! you find it so?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice memory. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "No legal papers or certificates?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless humiliation." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address papers must be those that are destroyed.' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. get the tickets." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country dear old homesteads?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." over part of the map. "What do you read?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the from you?" "'What then?' I asked. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her ways of our fellow-men." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the you." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate simple cases which are so extremely difficult." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the stable lane now." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole or other trace. But how on earth--" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an ways including including checks, online payments and credit card criminal. We have already had experience of such." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "And who is her maid?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "And the murderer?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "You heard nothing yourself last night?" despair." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I locked. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was prison!" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Gutenberg-tm License. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. retorted upon me, and I on you." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I see no marks." "Not yet." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. to arrive at through this?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots friends, not even his own brother. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Can I be of assistance?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted do.' in his power. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off security.' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally upon the white wrist. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I could go. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'Ten to two.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary cigars in their mouths. lips." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I mysterious business." "The best possible." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "But your client--" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from