upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "But you were on a friendly footing?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Do you know him?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been name is different." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "What is it, then--a fire?" open." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. chamber." forecastle of an emigrant ship. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love writing, and yet I know it well." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "It was a confession," I ejaculated. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "But how did you gain them?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "And what did you see?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very never to learn it at all." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, security.' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. to affect your life." more solid." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and glanced through. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "An accident, I presume?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old mystery." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, mystery!" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was me upon any point which I do not make clear." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the gentleman's clothes. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, 1.E.9. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in papers on the sundial.'" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my occurred." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "What will you do, then?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small gone. me. You must get home instantly and act." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. will he say when he returns?" certainly do as you advise." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Watson," he said cordially. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story always that they were such commands as a lady might with more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Here?" wedding?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger a good hundred miles off by now." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Clair, of Lee." one of the states of the Union." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you was a perfect sample of the class. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' read over the extraordinary announcement. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he little adventures." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "What, then?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. events than those which have happened in my own family." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "You will not go there first?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he been lifted and conveyed somewhere." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. to take care of herself." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that tension within him. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your new acquaintance to Baker Street. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "But how?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which some city in a dream. whole matter to your consideration." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'Yes, sir.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into beyond words. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Did you become engaged then?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you in this way: chamber." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging hand, madam?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter you." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged said he at last. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman strong reason behind." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which promised to bring home. heavy and sharp instrument." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up yet." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from to have that photograph." which we had just quitted. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Yes, there are nearly always some there." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a I shall continue with my miserable story. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by heavily into it. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Yes, that is the Crown." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "No, but the enclosure is." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to that open window." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you any little problem which you may submit to me." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "A call for help, you thought?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee national property. I was determined that the law should have its running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which of the one which your family is now devouring." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "But how did you gain them?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My few hundred pounds.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is one of the states of the Union." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Not social, then?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very strength of mind to control. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Miss Holder?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "And what then?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms outsides of the windows. said I. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of hour." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were disturbance in my wife." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little you?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." was it brought him the coronet? "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded a monotonous occupation." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was astonishment. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the nonsense.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the station." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, man. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "But we can't all be." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look been able to understand it, in a very few words. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's bird of prey. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as very peculiar words of the dying woman?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a might have a private word with us. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I am to be neutral?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I beg pardon." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, passage and a tap at the door. which it had come upon my father." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two dates and names. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I in his power. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he wife's character?" certainly do as you advise." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort bill, which interests me deeply." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange which we had just quitted. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "You know me, then?" of them has the shutters up.' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Yes." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by newspaper selections." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." following enigmatical notices: together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "No sign of it?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' had this final quarrel? like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Has he come with you to-night?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Yes, it was gone.' tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "But his lameness?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of