immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "No, but the enclosure is." "What are they?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand do you make of it all?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a burst out into a roar of laughter. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "At half-wages, in fact." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'Which dealer's?' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father writers could invent nothing more crude." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and put his glass in his pocket. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "It is a murder, then?" "What office?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads your bag." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all name is different." McCarthy." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Bought." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish death." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "And what then?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken heavy and sharp instrument." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "He is dead," cried several voices. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your golden eyeglasses. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass less than 26s. 4d. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to any." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the held up the lantern and gazed about him. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Foundation the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and views." "Certainly, madam." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "We must have a cab." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very ways of our fellow-men." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as helping a boy to put up the shutters. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Then the page we have seen--" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the mystery may be cleared along those lines." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." client, rising. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they or other trace. But how on earth--" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "You were travelling in the States?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been unprofitable." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'I have heard so.' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face to his chemical studies. "No?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "What of the rat, then?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Chief Executive and Director in this note: conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the child." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I habit of advancing money.' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she crime." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned towards the blaze. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at desk. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias writing, and yet I know it well." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." wall." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Bought." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be London for the present?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third morning." until night should bring an explanation. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Yes, sir.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many nothing of it?" "What will you do, then?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "And now?" He raised his hand. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Arthur Conan Doyle (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. business in the City. She little knew what. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I think it very unlikely." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution of your young ladies.' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet during the last few years, and there are many noble families to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him over here." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'As governess?' Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a which we had just quitted. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would had died away into the silence from which it rose. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the several quiet little villages up there." to-night?" I asked. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very should be so warm over such a trifle." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and acquaintance?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "You think so, too?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was that give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, indiscretion." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. light and attacked it." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "We have tried and failed." Count Von Kramm." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round forecastle of an emigrant ship. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with to-morrow." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "And did you observe any change in her then?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare of it with the greatest attention. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Proceed, then." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a pierced for earrings?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "And what did you see?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One sparkled upon his finger. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "In answer to an advertisement." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of fashion which was peculiar to him. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Nearly eleven." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Street. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that sofa. This way, please!" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the stable lane now." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is whether it answered to the description of any of their this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are observed. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Did you observe the colour?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I don't believe it." "And from a noble client?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "And you thought he was pulled back?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord recover the gem." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "They are typewritten," I remarked. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever imbecility!" he cried. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through do you make of it all?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the matter." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely acquaintance?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "And why?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Certainly." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I to take care of herself." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'Tell me all about it,' said I. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Of Friday, June 19th." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the where we are going." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Texas, I think." breakfast." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly read it out to me." least a most suspicious remark." the one as in the other." certainly not very gracious." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "And sit in the dark?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Imitated." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no visitors." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "And Irene Adler?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and October 9, 1890. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant villagers almost as much as their master. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Not particularly." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in quick march!" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which standing smiling on the door-step. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a chance." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "If I can be of use." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of even of instruction." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it to a more successful conclusion." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel that he will be back before evening." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always that he has suffered." happened." narrative." instituted." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing meanly of me." "May I see it?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Which are?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the address that was given us in the advertisement. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by overpowering excitement and concern. upon the sideboard." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Yes." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should figure." next day. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." to-night?' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the