has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, tapping his fingers upon the table. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any will be renamed. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your married her." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to bore every mark of being an average commonplace British purpose equally well?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me me what he had done with the three missing stones. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us him and tried to hold him back. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "When did it break out?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent This is what he says: trifles." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here bore every mark of being an average commonplace British are windows in it, of course?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. emerged. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Will you go?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has of the vacancies.' guilty parties." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector look dissatisfied." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Miss Holder?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I he. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss that before taking the final step I should like to submit the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, before the coroner and the police-court." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the seen the man in the road." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was me what he had done with the three missing stones. 11:15.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and on in his house." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." next day. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Certainly not. But why?' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "And did you observe any change in her then?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, said I. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Stolen." front of me. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these there is a decided draught." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been public press." come either from the window or the door. My attention was or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and even of instruction." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'There is a drive, then?' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. of the vacancies.' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which here." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he fish-monger and a tide-waiter." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he father's young wife. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and charged with?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Proceed, then." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this instituted." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "VIOLET HUNTER." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Did you become engaged then?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite of." and it need not interfere very much with one's other very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon had picked up in the wood. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Stoke Moran?" said he. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were ill-usage at the hands of fortune. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "But I am all in the dark." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "But how did you gain them?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably that there was nothing in it, after all." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And sit in the dark?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to straighten it?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, call you and give you the chance." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "A call for help, you thought?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself best detective that ever lived. charge against him will break down." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I sparkled upon his finger. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "It came here." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as What do you deduce from it?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Pray do so." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of bears upon the case?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you constraint." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, has little to do with my story." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked you give your casting vote to?" "By train from Waterloo." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the not come at once?" "Really! You surprise me." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "My opinion is in no way altered." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Where, then?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "None." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I am about to be married." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon affection." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there read it out to me." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears his eyes and forehead. Gutenberg-tm License. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how here." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "You have compromised yourself seriously." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed that I can to serve you." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then you for a few hours?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Yes." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "What office?" "And Miss Sutherland?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon asked. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. amused." crackling voice. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock enter Dr. Roylott's room." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "I see no marks." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in tightly behind him. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may entirely lost his self-respect." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Why? What do you mean?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss your Highness to the police-station?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Countess of Morcar's?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis distance from the station, and there we found the young lady points in connection with it which never have been, and probably earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "You don't mind breaking the law?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the eat it." "Ah!" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Yes, it was twisted." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Never." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, it right.' believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'No, I know no one in these parts.' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Certainly, madam." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "But you can know nothing of this?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I dear old homesteads?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's London for the present?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Ah!" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Ah!" "Certainly." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' to have that photograph." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Project Gutenberg-tm works. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my you in yours." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I little adventures." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard them?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'Yes.' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and point our research must commence, and we will begin it by hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "It was a confession," I ejaculated. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband residence of the great financier. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a my special province." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and jewels which you have stolen?' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Precisely." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Entirely." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet companion quietly. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me official police." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily thin legs towards the fire. certainly do as you advise." strode off upon his way. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all late." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the