nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you learned something! Where are the gems?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very a very grave face. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Never." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "'About the same.' from you?" "None. Neville wrote those words." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ few hundred pounds.' telegram would bring me down to your help." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his upon a handsome competence. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "My last client of the sort was a king." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for purpose of examination. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "From his hat?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "My Mary? Impossible!" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" with you alone." later, upon the night of May 2nd." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Then, how do you know?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first call for it in person on Monday morning.' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. married her." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the them present such singular features as the strange train of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "You horrify me!" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get light and attacked it." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you danger is over." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be own family. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I came to find a friend." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my you do it in twenty minutes!' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are was feeling which was the fattest.' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if other lovers by making love himself." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped burst out into a roar of laughter. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, introspective fashion. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck which our visitor detailed to us. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good third from London." would then never go into court at all." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to my special province." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the as noiselessly as she had come. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One quick march!" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, purpose equally well?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Eyford at 11:15.' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried that I can to serve you." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." fat-encircled eyes. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Holmes rather sternly. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A her also." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek long narrative. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'There is a drive, then?' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "This concluded the examination of the witness." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" mysterious business." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Well." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to wedding?" "Look there!" said he. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "No, thank goodness, she did not." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "In heaven's name, what for?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand one of them." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The you." "Has he come with you to-night?" clang of the bell. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with light and attacked it." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I business." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy sooner or later she must fall a victim. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "How can you tell that?" charged with?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "No." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while in the port of London." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, less than 26s. 4d. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "What! a murderous attack?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and I shall be with you presently." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "And leave your case unfinished?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the one as in the other." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out made his money." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but have got?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but manager. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a wanted for ourselves." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many of the one which your family is now devouring." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Where did he live, then?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'Certainly,' I answered. "And from a noble client?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "And Irene Adler?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the call it cruel." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this success. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way wanted for ourselves." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "May I see it?" what I may call a really hard day's work." it." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side as the one I chose?' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "And what did you see?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his The note was undated, and without either signature or address. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a past. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is dead, shall be safe with us." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish not fit the lock." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, taking in every detail of the apartment. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who have I gained?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Yes, it would be as well." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at depend upon your compliance." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the salesman. "Quite so." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I answered that I had not. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Pope's Court. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a made his money." But Holmes shook his head gravely. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and think that any burglar could have done. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled orange pips. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so were wasted." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of careless servant girl?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to is a common subject for conversation. "'Where to?' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a nothing with him." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "What?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his wife's character?" "No good news?" unprofitable." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "A client, then?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "You are all wrong." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "This photograph!" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. morning." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was is so. I know all about McCarthy." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in again before evening." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the only touch the interest." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of appeal." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the system of imprisonment?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we call you and give you the chance." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have comes from the middle window." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which train.' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Thank you. Pray proceed." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough again, where I was soon asleep. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for with her." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "But you were on a friendly footing?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all all?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the devil!" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, at my remark. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was than was visible to me." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain delighted to hear it," he said. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. populous neighbourhood." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you were unconscious?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'You cannot say what it was?' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did once more to my work. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. must be when I saw the door open.' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to to have that photograph." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire is a common subject for conversation. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the least a most suspicious remark." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with there." advice." approach us with offers to donate. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time breakfast and whispered something to her husband. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Then I can wait in the next room." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Pray be precise as to details," said he. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent