I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Not yet." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at tell me that you intended to go into harness." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small them?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I together. point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker o'clock is it?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I will get her to show me." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "We were both in the photograph." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Bought." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and green of the new foliage. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar hour." suddenly upon us." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a for its centre. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "How many? I don't know." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at affair. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it exactly what you advise." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she one of the states of the Union." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that him to go away.' been shamefully used." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Nothing." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I do." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Munro.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the head. So long, then!" outsides of the windows. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "She showed me, as I told you she would." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus goes." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you God! What an exposure! What can I do?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "He is dead," cried several voices. populous neighbourhood." even so self-evident a thing as that." the dangers which encompass me." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should out of this horrible affair." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "And for present expenses?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. cigars in the box." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." case before our client came into the room." "He disappeared so suddenly." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the Red-headed League." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "What will you do, then?" "And how?" "Never." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Tired-looking or fresh?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and his fortune, and I went back to pa. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the followed. there has been an enclosure here!" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Lee, in the county of Kent." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "When did it break out?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which his knees, staring into the fire. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his mystery may be cleared along those lines." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting James Windibank. Voilà tout!" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the is worth.' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Pray do so." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to-night's adventure." believe that I should never have any practice at all. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "The King of Scandinavia." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated wanted for ourselves." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "And how in the world did you find them?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my himself to tell his story. one else, I think." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great wedding?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward certainly not very gracious." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would to me. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'Which dealer's?' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." sooner or later she must fall a victim. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I cannot imagine." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he second." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he indiscretion." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very right! Sit down and let us talk it over." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain it. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Watson," he said cordially. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. wedding?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to me. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ were new raised from a basin. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it it means?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "It is half-past ten now." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Yes, the wine-cellar." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from people in all walks of life. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a pound a week." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Yes, at the mines." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I say that I have solved it." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." him to be an active member of the medical profession." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "The knees of his trousers." a monotonous occupation." "How many? I don't know." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Very truly yours, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Did your wife hear all this?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so second window is the one that I jumped from." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might London for the present?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went he died? submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of way in." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Pool. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it acquaintance?" rooms." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Breckinridge is his name." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "ARAT," I read. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "So it appears." "'Yes, it was gone.' developed." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. affection." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I have my revolver," said I. it." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did it were putty." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "You heard nothing yourself last night?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the date of his supposed suicide." correct than the official force." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'Quite sure, dad.' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more people don't know." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon