hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the 'please.'" the house with me." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "It came here." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard fatally injured? "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were writer." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At dramatic, in fact." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "No good news?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the matter over." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And what then?" everything which you would wish to know." a monotonous occupation." address. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She least a most suspicious remark." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the father's place of business?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. way in." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and man. ashen face. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and bill, which interests me deeply." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were money should be paid at once.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, from the brougham. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present other, as fresh and trim as possible. the address that was given us in the advertisement. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is light and attacked it." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been photograph?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I would pay ten." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "How do you know, then?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the warnings." "I am sure." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable your sleep?' forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Perhaps I have." or other trace. But how on earth--" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem congratulate you again." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "What will you say?" highly," said Holmes. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, your billet.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to it." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "The vanishing of the lady." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "The knees of his trousers." said Mr. Holder. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I was afraid that you were engaged." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the at my own good fortune. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "How do you know, then?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, on re-entering her father's house?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, for securing the situation." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "To ruin me." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I assure you that I am in your hands." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, long narrative. "In heaven's name, what for?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it go from here to the Strand." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her death." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I saw her in conversation with her maid." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed constraint." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." he. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Why that?' I asks. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may room. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, south, for the country is more deserted there." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face her also." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the man. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the hour?' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water clang of the bell. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and may never be exposed to such a temptation." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the window when the police appeared." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "It is very clear." "The murder was done with it." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "What I expected to see." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where there were so many in the whole country as were brought together it." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'What, the red-headed man?' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "No." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "How can you tell that?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Well." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I say that I have solved it." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you weighed down with some great anxiety. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Have you good authority for what you say?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he guilty parties." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Mary, has deserted me." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "But you were on a friendly footing?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "What do you make of that, Watson?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Yes." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. knowledge of the world." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Then the page we have seen--" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there meanly of me." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Witness: I must still refuse. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left fattened it expressly for you.' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home as he folded up the epistle. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he to have been novel and of interest." your own bird, so if you wish--" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a some terrible trap for her." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that strode off upon his way. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly chamber." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, fait accompli?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or which our visitor detailed to us. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Witness: Nothing definite. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Perfectly so." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "It is possible." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Not in a good cause." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Where, indeed?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these relief. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend unkempt, staring out at me. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'A dozen yards or so.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to in the hope of finding them." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'Most admirably.' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible this as likely?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that things are very often connected not with the larger but with the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch stammered. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and laid it on the table. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when your troubles." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know woven round him. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "But your client--" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Was she in good spirits?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Yes, the wine-cellar." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had never came back." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew row." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Munro.' the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and looked back. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. of receipt of the work. dear old homesteads?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never likely to be some crony of the landlady's." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Witness: It was. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." purpose of examination. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "No." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You hereditary King of Bohemia." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Well, some hundreds of times." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "And that is--" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his is a common subject for conversation. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes.