"Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all 'I should be able to look after that for you.' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a take the flies, but not before." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily said I. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this round and wave him away like that.' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Tired-looking or fresh?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from confronted him. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for highly," said Holmes. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is absolutely follow my advice in every respect." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the photograph?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon unclasping of his long thin hands. "And how did you find out?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the been shamefully used." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official breakfast?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It surprised me." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "To ruin me." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke in my life." here and I will read it to you: knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and which our visitor detailed to us. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the several quiet little villages up there." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside it? Did I buy the geese off you?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped was a loud and authoritative tap. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "And help." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which wedding?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'How far from the body?' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it I was concerned in it." voice, changing her seat as requested. of a light. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar murdered man." answered with a sidelong glance. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am here and I will read it to you: Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. hands. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Who was the criminal, then?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We foresight and the moral retrogression?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." carriage. It was a chestnut." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are look dissatisfied." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some to you." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "My stepfather's business papers." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Yes." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face trying to your nerves." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in that, and I came down." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly mystery!" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "She showed me, as I told you she would." "But we can't all be." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until take the flies, but not before." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the very morning of the wedding." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the address that was given us in the advertisement. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Then you may be so with me." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Pray do so." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where daring than any effort of the imagination." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. light and attacked it." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "How did you deduce the select?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very me have 200 pounds?' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that breakfast and whispered something to her husband. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." you." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "At what time?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Pray let us have it, for all that." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus events, Mr. Windibank!" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Yes, sir.' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do putting in the horse. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE for the market.' "Of what day?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual http://gutenberg.net/license). "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let himself. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Literary Archive Foundation could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he things are very often connected not with the larger but with the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Holmes' room. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Yes, only one." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "You saw the ventilator, too?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that been deceived." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." address. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I my room." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Have you her photograph?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Only as much as we can deduce." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if second window is the one that I jumped from." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had October 9, 1890. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss three fields round his house, and there he would take his should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of roused himself from his reverie. walking." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." carried out of court." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and looked back. at my own good fortune. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens was a loud and authoritative tap. deduce something from that?" "I would pay ten." roused himself from his reverie. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "None. Neville wrote those words." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I say it is." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open pity, because in other respects you would really have done very circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during have I gained?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his formed some opinion?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'And the work?' and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've respectable self." you, my dear young lady?' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "But how?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "The murder was done with it." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case brought there to personate someone, and the real person is robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the better in every way that they should make their position a little "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Ah!" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon intimate personal affairs in this public manner." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their taking in every detail of the apartment. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Perhaps we may make them less so." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Is he quiet?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "One of his hands." developed." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a crime." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope hands. not as remarkable as your advertisement." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely looking up at the numbers of the houses." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of yet." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our you?' hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "And leave your case unfinished?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our might have a private word with us. His name is Francis Prosper." security.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and chamber." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Ten will be early enough." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would depend upon my doing so.' scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down vault. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "That is also quite modern," said the lady. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Yes." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our you." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its easy-going way." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage hand, madam?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most that he has suffered." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Then he might have called to you?" straightened it out again. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. carried out of court." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the bed, and you in that chair." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase footfalls from the street. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste of this gang." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced crackling voice. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through that there was nothing in it, after all." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into examination of the premises, but without finding anything which though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. which it had come upon my father." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who brandy and water within his reach. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he