"And you don't know his address?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "That was it, sir." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and your relations to her." criminal. We have already had experience of such." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "No, distinctly professional." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, vault. "It is solved." father's young wife. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Then you may be so with me." "He said that you could solve anything." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Who by?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the 11:15.' away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing he died? receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as bare slabs of marble. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Literary Archive Foundation its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in flock.' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Not in the least." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his is acting for the best. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a of." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident definite end. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." intrusion of other matters." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your as he folded up the epistle. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" weapon." himself to tell his story. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." until night should bring an explanation. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "It looks newer than the other things?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the station." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his fat-encircled eyes. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. may have an influence upon European history." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began directly by questioning you." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "How can you tell that?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, gbnewby@pglaf.org appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is events, Mr. Windibank!" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "One of the highest in England." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Foundation have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "You are hungry," I remarked. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight sound at heart." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" extraordinary contortions. south, for the country is more deserted there." the nursery. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his events, Mr. Windibank!" sofa. This way, please!" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the coroner come to?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the south-west, I see." photograph?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Was she in good spirits?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Precisely so. But how--" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a you in yours." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Never." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and carried out of court." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that these bleak autumnal evenings." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, in his hands." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "'Ten to two.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, to Leatherhead. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and business." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a to tackle the facts." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the I shall continue with my miserable story. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague The note was undated, and without either signature or address. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "So I heard. You have him here?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest both be extremely obliged.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss cup of tea. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On golden eyeglasses. it with his own hands." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "The rest you will leave in our hands." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "But his left-handedness." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Have you it here?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Not yet." get the tickets." one which it was hard to resist. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "VIOLET HUNTER." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "No." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Sholtos." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my arms and began to sob in a high treble key. affair. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, and all of them with the keenest interest. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our means taking possession of that which another person has a prior article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Certainly." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "The vanishing of the lady." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." thin legs towards the fire. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Your French gold?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he believe that I should never have any practice at all. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you questioning and rather startled gaze. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Certainly." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We fuss that is made over them." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Very good.' "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought over part of the map. "What do you read?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Entirely." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and capable of preserving a secret.' Serpentine Avenue. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "And Irene Adler?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, prepare for the new role I have to play." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue know what is wrong with it.' Where does the thing come from?' them present such singular features as the strange train of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we easy-going way." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'Not at all. I only doubt--' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody own family. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. like that before?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet foresight and the moral retrogression?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Edgeware Road. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months information in his hands the value of which he did not himself outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the maid will bring up your coffee." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the ceiling. it with his own hands." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you upon an income of about 60 pounds." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. with you?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich guilty one." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with papers on the sundial.'" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" murdered man." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet everything which you would wish to know." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I am following you closely," I answered. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that do you make of it all?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. as he remarks, very much against the son." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "The best possible." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I both be extremely obliged.' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "But how did you gain them?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which plantation.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated I was concerned in it." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "No, my brougham is waiting." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had imbecility!" he cried. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the King without delay." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "To the police?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us them, and came down just as you departed. "And now?" He raised his hand. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Get out!" said he. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the bottom.' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and that you can jump it.' from the brougham. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the coronet at all injured?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'Ten to two.' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been