one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "In heaven's name, what for?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." reach." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." fashion which was peculiar to him. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw so far?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "It missed him, then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "We have tried and failed." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I think that it is very probable." felt the room to be a little close.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in room?" which it had come upon my father." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There four million human beings all jostling each other within the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "It missed him, then?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Where did you address your letters, then?" "And why in hopes?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. promised to bring home. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Henry Baker is a member." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Ample." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are depend upon my doing so.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free maiden herself was most instructive." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his who was a member of your goose club." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at this remarkable episode. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to McCarthy's innocence. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the asked. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "One of his hands." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they said Mr. Holder. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My have I gained?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "We were both in the photograph." the so-precious time, but come!' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Yes, I have one waiting." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "9th. McCauley cleared. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he or in danger--" "So I am. Very much so." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There disturbance in my wife." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the you in your example." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the morning and make my own way in the world.' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is to have that photograph." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old crowd. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." are, and they are waiting for us." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, breakfast." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at geese which you supplied to the Alpha." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person very old mansion. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Miss Holder?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the undoubtedly my uncle's." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging to his chemical studies. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used recall any case within my experience which looked at the first photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "No bad?" "Frequently." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "What is it?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a What do you deduce from it?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, she might be summoned. to affect your life." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This gone. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and there." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle village inn over there?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "It is no ordinary one." "Where did he live, then?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Surrey." anything to do with the matter?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But said I. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the coronet in his hand?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Her father is very rich?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge there in twenty minutes." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I there was no need for father to know." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw introspective fashion. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another point in the dark hollow of his hand. Watson," he said cordially. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." astonishment. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Yes, only one." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham other means.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "He disappeared so suddenly." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed morning." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "'As governess?' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed emerged. Countess of Morcar's?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "What shall I do?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I will do it." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "But who is he?" very old mansion. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly most important business. It is probable that he will be away all of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw really the only notable feature about the thing." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It looks newer than the other things?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Not in the least." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "And sit in the dark?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the back into the street. must be when I saw the door open.' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California laugh and put his lips to my ear. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the into the bag, and made for the door. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "What I expected to see." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "No, I am descending." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry woven round him. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. pound a week." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, least a most suspicious remark." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just really the only notable feature about the thing." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." towards the blaze. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between me have 200 pounds?' is a common subject for conversation. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "By all means." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "It looks newer than the other things?" "But who is he?" his face. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the golden eyeglasses. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "It is his hat." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down prepare for the new role I have to play." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four green of the new foliage. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "What, then, did Peterson do?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "You horrify me." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either nothing with him." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they pictures, libraries, or plate. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'I am sure that I do not know.' eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "And what did you see?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean society." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" 1.E.9. appointment with me for six o'clock?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the read over the extraordinary announcement. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can morning." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "In heaven's name, what for?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon during that time.' smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Where is it, then?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Married! When?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Where to?' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Oh, yes, easily." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and no precautions can guard against." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." your only hope of safety." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a