this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'How far from the body?' preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "What will you do, then?" "Very much so." was keenly on my guard against him. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in key turn in the lock." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an at my remark. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if manager. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Was there a secret marriage?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've waste of energy." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we time." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his dramatic, in fact." "'Certainly,' I answered. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "And that is--" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to open." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the loss of it. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a drawing your inferences." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the ashen face. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "What then?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "My own seal." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "In the cells." off." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "None. Neville wrote those words." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of look dissatisfied." your billet.' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up over with notes and figures. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Then how many are there?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the conclusions. too. brandy and water within his reach. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "And why in hopes?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'What do you call purely nominal?' Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. kind enough to tell me what I should do." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By relation between them, and what the object of his repeated lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing straighten it?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For key of the affair now." as he remarks, very much against the son." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Has he come with you to-night?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case ways including including checks, online payments and credit card we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "You did not overhear what they said?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." if only as a check to my own memory." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to emerged. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the window, rose as we entered. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where works. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & disappearance of the bride.'" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became cost them two and thirty pounds." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a come either from the window or the door. My attention was they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always your own bird, so if you wish--" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose side. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Yes." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Perhaps we may make them less so." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to is a common subject for conversation. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. made him keep the appointment." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed have had none more fantastic than this." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "None." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. mystery." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a there when the Rucastles went away." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "How are you getting on?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "And the cigar-holder?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the so-precious time, but come!' Pope's Court. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was business at Coburg Square is serious." emerged. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and looked back. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Where to?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to think you a quite exceptional woman." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, unprofitable." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'You doubt its value?' he asked. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have humiliation." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a written, and locked the door of the office after me. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place be best to do. arrested. You then--" not as remarkable as your advertisement." into the bag, and made for the door. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "So I am. Very much so." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural beyond words. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly ways of our fellow-men." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an about. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this down in his armchair and closing his eyes. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress standing smiling on the door-step. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "My own seal." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside bachelor.' "To an English lawyer named Norton." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up other means.' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven I am not easy in my mind about them." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you fasten all the windows?" golden eyeglasses. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Really! You surprise me." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is stalked out of the room. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a me." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor a little more before I quite committed myself. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a chamber." "I see no marks." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for spare." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Again Holmes raved in the air. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is tail." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper depend upon my doing so.' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" fluttered off among the others. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "It's nothing of the kind." sound at heart." to a more successful conclusion." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the station." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three south, for the country is more deserted there." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am breakfast?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father third from London." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "How can you tell that?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Only as much as we can deduce." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "No sign of it?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'Yes, sir.' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what his huge brown hands. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our II. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish forecastle of an emigrant ship. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs a very grave face. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his fluttered off among the others. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little morning." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "You have it, sir, just as it happened." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that to his chemical studies. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "In the cells." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found meant." "Look there!" said he. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "You will not go there first?" forebodings. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Count Von Kramm." if only as a check to my own memory." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "The knees of his trousers." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still straighten it?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Entirely." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your