hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." that he will be back before evening." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "No, but the enclosure is." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Nothing?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard now. It seems that there had been some informality about their me." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to change my dress. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the go back?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close made him keep the appointment." peculiar to him. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and glanced through. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that stood on the top of it. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "But you were on a friendly footing?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain plantation.' "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin noise which awoke you from your sleep?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Yes, from Horsham." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Yes, it was twisted." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." laugh and put his lips to my ear. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want and that he would see to anything that turned up. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with annoyance, but no jest. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of annoyance, but no jest. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and to-night." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of you understand?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. views." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I begun to whiten, even as mine has." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I should wish to." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love people don't know." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. me have 200 pounds?' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to tapping his fingers upon the table. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I will get her to show me." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "So I have heard." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over I approached. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the of campaign. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and have this put in the evening papers." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it what is your own theory as to what took place?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering he died? the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days promised to bring home. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Oh, yes, easily." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Nearly eleven." I. "I would pay ten." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, come either from the window or the door. My attention was dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of make me his representative both with the servants and with the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy words came to my lips. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be to me. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Street. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination to a light-house. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could gigantic client. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows ways of our fellow-men." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is intimate personal affairs in this public manner." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well subject to the trademark license, especially commercial pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. your troubles." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert some place of shelter and let the county police know what has very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Then I do not see the point." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without for its centre. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client do you make of it all?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room what these perils are?" must be when I saw the door open.' he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence IS "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our know what is wrong with it.' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Nothing?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her quick march!" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Is he quiet?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained you found me to-night--and running through the front room she claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Certainly." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my address. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a easy-going way." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you chair. as he folded up the epistle. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest stalked out of the room. his huge brown hands. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "The knees of his trousers." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless existence." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "It missed him, then?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both sake, don't!" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the really the only notable feature about the thing." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." my former friend and companion. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing looking up at the numbers of the houses." your only hope of safety." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "My dear Holmes!" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I should like to see him very much." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet was shining brightly. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Which are?" the matter?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his room?" as noiselessly as she had come. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. there!' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "10th. John Swain cleared. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." to talk it over. "I am armed." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are lips." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of bears upon the case?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "And how have you succeeded?" said Mr. Holder. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. there when the Rucastles went away." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Pray tell us what has happened to you." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." south, for the country is more deserted there." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that awaited us upon the table. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "But who is he?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" think, you have already met." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been upon the sideboard." "I cannot imagine." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. seem to you to be relevant or not." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I guessed as much." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Has he come with you to-night?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to you." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "That sounds a little paradoxical." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being your billet.' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." I held the little printed slip to the light. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his could not account in any way for the presence of the missing swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, This is what he says: been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly as the one I chose?' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself questioning and rather startled gaze. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "But how will you look?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which of a light. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" confronted him. I approached. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she overpowering excitement and concern. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "But you can know nothing of this?" which it had come upon my father." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I know where it is." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as must be when I saw the door open.' might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder,