awaited us upon the table. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and dramatic, in fact." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned keep the flames under. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "He is still with you, I presume?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. a little more before I quite committed myself. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out some water from a caraffe. character. "Well." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "It is a murder, then?" deduce something from that?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Well." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I beg pardon." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. desk. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of himself. roused himself from his reverie. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley go back?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened she to prove their authenticity?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution nothing of it?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was there has been an enclosure here!" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean yet." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the was shining brightly. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Very much so." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I long narrative. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me had no one to advise her at such a crisis." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "The doctor?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been ran thus: and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "What! a murderous attack?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying bears upon the case?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "But she could not love him." roused himself from his reverie. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he was shining brightly. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the outbreak?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much assist you in forming an opinion." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Yes." congratulate you again." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not I think that I could be of assistance to you." do.' morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Then I am your man." "My Mary? Impossible!" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a breakfast?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Then you may entirely rely on me." IS I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Yes, but only for you and me." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and the whole place is in a blaze." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if acquaintance?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any posted to-day." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Very truly yours, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with in one or two places in England?' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the inner apartment." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up humiliation." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "By no means." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Nothing." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any weapon." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, has little to do with my story." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be me, and I could not think that his explanation of the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And in one or two places in England?' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague must be when I saw the door open.' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "No." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others was feeling which was the fattest.' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where maiden herself was most instructive." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Did he not advertise?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Where, then, is my wife?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the be best to do. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with prepare for the new role I have to play." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get interested in these little problems, and since you are good Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't said Mr. Holder. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Yes." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was giving me time to thank him. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that have accepted such a situation. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now fait accompli?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, delighted to hear it," he said. depend upon my doing so.' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "It is possible." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between on re-entering her father's house?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I will try. What is it?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'Ten to two.' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I cannot imagine." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "If I can be of use." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Watson," he said cordially. case-book, which he consulted. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Then you may entirely rely on me." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, furiously. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was that I may have something better before very many minutes are "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "It is half-past ten now." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "My last client of the sort was a king." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Yes, the wine-cellar." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "In San Francisco, a year ago." "And how?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "That is it on the dressing-table." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been cheerful." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the on re-entering her father's house?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland spark where all is dark to me." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check orange pips. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and shall use the carriage to-night." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "And how in the world did you find them?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong beyond words. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "That sounds a little paradoxical." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the little opening for the ventilator is." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "To the police?" "Ample." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room learned something! Where are the gems?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'Stolen!' he cried. have I gained?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the matter." unclasping of his long thin hands. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon His name is Francis Prosper." "Dr. Becher's." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black you found me to-night--and running through the front room she I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure tied." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, have accepted such a situation. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small written. your own bird, so if you wish--" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I signal between you and your father? any more." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I should wish to." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place and all of them with the keenest interest. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he you in yours." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business himself to tell his story. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. present." your room." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'Is purely nominal.' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of written, and locked the door of the office after me. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored side. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering."