instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'Most admirably.' "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the window, rose as we entered. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Not in a good cause." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is It may be so in this case, also." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached fear." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed reach." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Leadenhall Street--and--" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly opened the door, and slipped through. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "It goes to the housekeeper's room." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "No." of his shoulders. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an night.' said he. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I am about to be married." "She will not sell." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." tail." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what him and tried to hold him back. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "And from a noble client?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I cannot imagine." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be used to be." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So fasten all the windows?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'Most admirably.' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I do." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Of what day?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'As governess?' future lives." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Arthur Conan Doyle before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "How can you tell that?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' be sorry for having acted so harshly." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose keep the flames under. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found you want, then?' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. at my remark. in darkness. "It's nothing of the kind." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. away into the river." himself to hunt down. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would generous with you in money matters.' "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Her father is very rich?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "None." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was persecution?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "How long did she speak to this Alice?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I see many objections to any such theory." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" towards the blaze. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I cannot tell." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Yes." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your you." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed derbies." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "One of the highest in England." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Cross for the Continent." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most observed. and no precautions can guard against." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the child." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a sake, don't!" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend lost his Christmas dinner." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." to-night?" I asked. to you." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. was not a bird to be seen there. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, skylight. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "His face fell immediately. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your you found me to-night--and running through the front room she I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to-night?" I asked. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'Yes, I promise.' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up character. as yours." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Count Von Kramm." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and prison!" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Dr. Gregory B. Newby back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Leave Paddington by the 11:15." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "It must be recovered." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when to-morrow." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "You horrify me!" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "That's no good." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your possible that we could bring him back to her? job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which him, that man would not have given me such complete information favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Very. But will he see it?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive unprofitable." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men lost nothing by them." who was a member of your goose club." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'Where to?' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no to that open window." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call front of the hall door has given its name to the place. whether it answered to the description of any of their could go. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle straightened it out again. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "You will not go there first?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "If so, much may have happened between." goes." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Bought." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Project Gutenberg-tm works. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No eavesdroppers?' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "It was a confession," I ejaculated. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the his eyes and forehead. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "You know me, then?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer through." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the go from here to the Strand." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Mary, has deserted me." his knees, staring into the fire. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet like that before?" Where does the thing come from?' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told of the vacancies.' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of would apply.' possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "And how did you find out?" gbnewby@pglaf.org once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of as he remarks, very much against the son." "Whose house is it?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon he bowed and left the room without another word. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Oh, the cause is excellent!" possible that we could bring him back to her? had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to you?' letters?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "None." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the some water from a caraffe. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the people in all walks of life. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up mysterious business." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "It's nothing of the kind." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his man. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of