might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet shall use the carriage to-night." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to six. Come in!" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. rooms." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of of Mr. Rucastle's." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." man. I know him from the photograph." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. I think that I could be of assistance to you." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Where, indeed?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a your own bird, so if you wish--" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'About the same.' few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, will he say when he returns?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent bird I ate is country bred." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it might help us?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in. national property. I was determined that the law should have its "In which, sir?" "You did not overhear what they said?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining front of the hall door has given its name to the place. said he at last. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I am in hopes that she does." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the been deceived." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down will be renamed. deduce something from that?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through even of instruction." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and back to my heart. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive again before evening." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the union?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I beg pardon." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "And I." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "What will you say?" "Was she in good spirits?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the side-table." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was that there was nothing in it, after all." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our 1.F. "I see no marks." more terrible than the truth. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Street. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. vault. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about meant." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously shaken than I had ever seen him. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, if only as a check to my own memory." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I strode off upon his way. society." in the port of London." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Yes." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Upon what point?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of despair." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. his knees, staring into the fire. three fields round his house, and there he would take his Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope lost nothing by them." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated said he at last. to-night?' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he dates and names. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to yourselves in at night?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their own family. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her quite distinctive." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'Is purely nominal.' foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Nothing." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical in. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I see many objections to any such theory." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "It is his hat." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the side-table." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Nearly eleven." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." should be so warm over such a trifle." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Witness: I must still refuse. never will be, entirely cleared up. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" have been better. It is all right." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then to-night?' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'And the work?' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "That was it, sir." "My private note-paper." populous neighbourhood." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to-night." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Stoke Moran." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "From his hat?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "What do you make of that, Watson?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal his fortune, and I went back to pa. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "One?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Could he throw no light?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Well, some hundreds of times." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as obstinate." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Proceed, then." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "One of his hands." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Texas, I think." imbecility!" he cried. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the one else, I think." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the will take you up to see the machine.' wife's character?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'There is a drive, then?' long narrative. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "You have the photograph?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert such person." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; gbnewby@pglaf.org and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us six. Come in!" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his with the outside air!" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "That you are never beaten." lost nothing by them." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Lestrade of Scotland Yard." ran thus: do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "By train from Waterloo." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "A confidential servant?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "9th. McCauley cleared. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so to a light-house. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, beyond words. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main lids now and glanced across at his visitor. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was lumber-room." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. meant it for the best. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters must be when I saw the door open.' however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, putting in the horse. "Witness: It was. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I shall most certainly do so." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a she used." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back should be taken.' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt chemical work which was so dear to him. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then him." 1.F. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently to-night." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "No." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the shall use the carriage to-night." possible that we could bring him back to her? must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "By train from Waterloo." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society down. this poor creature." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "What! a murderous attack?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let there." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 man. I know him from the photograph." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself other means.' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "And when will you call?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I fear not." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I beg pardon." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to again before evening." "Your French gold?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I plantation.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his up this clue while it is still hot." only touch the interest." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some my former friend and companion. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I have seen the police." "And help." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and do you make of it all?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the said I. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger three fields round his house, and there he would take his including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists it? Did I buy the geese off you?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg very peculiar words of the dying woman?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, any more." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Perhaps I have." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "What is it?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in is so. I know all about McCarthy." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he without success. At last the little money which I had saved began a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "But your client--" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "And I to find an enemy."