"I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "That's no good." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would chance at all." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon if I call to-morrow?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really directors, with the result that you have seen." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their written, and locked the door of the office after me. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most coat-tails." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' away to you." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Stoke Moran." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the salesman. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Was there a secret marriage?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her nonsense.' amused." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love she to prove their authenticity?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'Why that?' I asks. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a during which he might have communicated with his friend the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Well." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my he. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Yes." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the row." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are writer." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny congenial hunt. "If so, much may have happened between." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Whose house is it?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Yes, but only for you and me." "Yes, from Horsham." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was his grey eyes. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange there!' to some other building. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'It is locked up,' I answered. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my imbecility!" he cried. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "You have compromised yourself seriously." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the we went to search for him, face downward in a little you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn fishes. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but chamber." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's fluttered off among the others. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "By train from Waterloo." you." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid whatever might befall. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held must compliment you." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which gives a meaning to it." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her danger is over." "But how will you look?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "By no means." your most interesting statement." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save soul! here is her carriage at the door." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'And the work?' compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that at my remark. closing the door. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'And the work?' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met I am not easy in my mind about them." "The knees of his trousers." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on sake, don't!" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "The decline of his fortunes, then?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Yes, certainly." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with is worth.' was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "An accident, I presume?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry what these perils are?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his in him." "Really! You surprise me." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out answer." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached away into the river." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "My opinion is in no way altered." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I have come for advice." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "We were both in the photograph." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Which are?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "By no means." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very never will be, entirely cleared up. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Miss Holder?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my of the way of danger. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business front of me. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "That is easily got." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "No, I think that I'll take it." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord pity, because in other respects you would really have done very which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in wife's character?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker woven round him. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "VIOLET HUNTER." a good hundred miles off by now." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their status with the IRS. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of companion imperturbably. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Where, indeed?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing mysterious end." is so. I know all about McCarthy." coat-tails." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is away to you." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no my little problems." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your always that they were such commands as a lady might with was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address will take you up to see the machine.' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider in a very precise fashion." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "It is very clear." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything words came to my lips. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat key turn in the lock." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the are, I think, all that we need." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Mary, has deserted me." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had writers could invent nothing more crude." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "And now?" I asked. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one your bag." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in returning from some small jollification and was making his way severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Countess of Morcar's?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him to-morrow." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not his fortune, and I went back to pa. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'It is locked up,' I answered. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat opportunities to fix the problem. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I cannot imagine." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "My private note-paper." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an to-night's adventure." 1.F. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his rooms." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back skylight. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "You have a clue?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. do you make of it all?" lost his Christmas dinner." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have