"I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "An accident, I presume?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not of his shoulders. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so memory. "Nothing?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the lamp. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my them?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "When did it break out?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am retorted upon me, and I on you." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "You have carte blanche." then?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off I shall continue with my miserable story. "'Never,' said I. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my might help us?" "On Monday." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." any little problem which you may submit to me." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Was your sister dressed?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "And you can do nothing until then?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Who by?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the your billet.' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "The vanishing of the lady." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about off." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), all that?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found present strange and interesting features that it is no easy madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate our word." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be it." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." in the dead of the night?' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "That is it on the dressing-table." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came even of instruction." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Your presence might be invaluable." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. very old mansion. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the morning and make my own way in the world.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the eavesdroppers?' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Leadenhall Street--and--" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," you?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the warnings." them present such singular features as the strange train of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we public press." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Yes?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the night.' minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "And what did you learn from him?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been delighted to hear it," he said. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, national property. I was determined that the law should have its Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "But I am all in the dark." have I gained?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the there when the Rucastles went away." ventilator." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Ah!" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been tell him that I know him to be innocent." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" redistribution. "Yes?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to brain must have something in it." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "And on what day did he meet his death?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "What steps will you take?" I asked. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this crackling voice. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he asked with his eyes open. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection impression behind it as though a window had gently closed surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may suspect him." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is over part of the map. "What do you read?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" intrusion of other matters." forbidden door. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several it." relief. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "My private note-paper." father's place of business?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as danger is over." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Why did you beat the pavement?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a forbidden door. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." should be so warm over such a trifle." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Nothing." events, Mr. Windibank!" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Now, then, what's the last entry?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. them, and came down just as you departed. "It is half-past ten now." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon for and were ordered to this address. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in you do it in twenty minutes!' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and page at http://pglaf.org "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper drawing your inferences." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in completely overtopped every other consideration that we both outside. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Certainly, madam." chamber." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in throat." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any an introduction to him?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I was sure that I might rely on you." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "But I have heard all that you have heard." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the she to prove their authenticity?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I rooms." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Nothing." we went to search for him, face downward in a little three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. himself to tell his story. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside I held the little printed slip to the light. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a desk. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "What! Had he lost his wife?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "We must have a cab." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some were unconscious?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "But his lameness?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "You have a clue?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot individual and becomes the badge of a society." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I was mad--insane." "'And what salary do you ask?' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." hurried away. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the other means.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called acquaintance?" Sholtos." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few again, where I was soon asleep. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' you, my dear young lady?' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a brain must have something in it." Mary, has deserted me." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'As governess?' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord future lives." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend vague figure huddled up in the darkness. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with were unconscious?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "No, I am descending." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in happened." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of it with the greatest attention. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is not as remarkable as your advertisement." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my with you alone." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the My friend smiled. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I chemical work which was so dear to him. the tragedy. "Nothing." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight will take you up to see the machine.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in fattened it expressly for you.' Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted round and wave him away like that.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But business in the City. She little knew what. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "But what harm can there be in that?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away papers on the sundial.'" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be do.' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Where does the thing come from?' the side-table." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Certainly." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his my secret was safe in his possession. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some showing my impatience. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. morning." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that call for it in person on Monday morning.' McCarthy's innocence. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Dr. Becher's." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have have I gained?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Here?" unkempt, staring out at me. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should seven miles from Eyford Station.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those behind me. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private will take you up to see the machine.' "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself see a sister of mine apply for." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Yes, but only for you and me." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up them?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It