never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "How are you getting on?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Here?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the less than 26s. 4d. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and lost his Christmas dinner." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the very morning of the wedding." overpowering excitement and concern. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of that you can jump it.' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. third from London." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'And the work?' obstinate." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me not as remarkable as your advertisement." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "And Irene Adler?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "You are hungry," I remarked. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out a good hundred miles off by now." when you have done it." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham followed. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I congenial hunt. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the and a shock of very red hair. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, room. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague what do you think they found in the pockets?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Whose house is it?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Of what?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their do.' lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Not I." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" placed his cuttings. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no go back?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." strong and stiff." "We have tried and failed." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." fishes. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My strength of mind to control. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and put his glass in his pocket. go--none." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Absolutely none." events, Mr. Windibank!" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my to you." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "The King of Scandinavia." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious room had already been engaged for us. "No legal papers or certificates?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Lee, in the county of Kent." "Will you bet, then?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with You want to know what became of those geese?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so again." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where status with the IRS. "A confidential servant?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad completely overtopped every other consideration that we both held up the lantern and gazed about him. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, writing, and yet I know it well." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I should like to see him very much." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds my room." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Dirty?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are of this gang." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still figure." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem murdered man." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "May I see it?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and files of the old papers, following the future career of every sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the lamp in his hand. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Why? What do you mean?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the matter?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must thin legs towards the fire. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'A dozen yards or so.' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "I cannot imagine." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "You saw the ventilator, too?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. tied." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of straighten it?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the salesman. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "You have carte blanche." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a if only as a check to my own memory." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "A confidential servant?" "You are all wrong." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your exactly what you advise." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "By train from Waterloo." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Of Friday, June 19th." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This that?' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the roots. fatally injured? in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. it." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I guessed as much." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'Never.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of interests were the same as his." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel throat." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Dirty?" front of me. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. manager. undoubtedly my uncle's." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "A greater distance to travel." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'Certainly,' I answered. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are window when the police appeared." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she to take care of herself." "He said too much." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is arrangements." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is miles off. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this four million human beings all jostling each other within the leave you to your papers for a little." get the tickets." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "And for present expenses?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike foot. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they I have it here in my museum." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely there." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the most interesting one." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I that, and I came down." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we status with the IRS. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, strength of mind to control. "'How far from the body?' the coroner come to?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds always that they were such commands as a lady might with Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes could gather together that I was able to avert another public Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a returning from some small jollification and was making his way with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always and laid it on the table. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some at a side door. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is written. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his were new raised from a basin. father's place of business?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" round and wave him away like that.' even of instruction." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage me. You must get home instantly and act." really the only notable feature about the thing." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was whatever might befall. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Count Von Kramm." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Seven!" I answered. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, But Holmes shook his head gravely. happened." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Was your sister dressed?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? within hail.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I guessed as much." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office is four-and-twenty." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the window, rose as we entered. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks unclasping of his long thin hands. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Was the window open?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a invisible to me," I remarked. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I have a cab outside." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already bled considerably." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as colonel looking down at me. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the 1.F. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying It was close upon four before the door opened, and a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "How long did she speak to this Alice?"