threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." done what I asked you, Jones?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "That also I could fathom." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Will you bet, then?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "The doctor?" "'Certainly not.' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Certainly." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Just look it up, then." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Perhaps I have." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'Yes, it was gone.' opened the door, and slipped through. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings you came in." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to one which it was hard to resist. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first my former friend and companion. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid joking. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair towards the blaze. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, prisoner's face. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might name is different." the loss of it. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'What then?' I asked. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "But I am all in the dark." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack will take you up to see the machine.' the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to nice household for a young lady." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. unclasping of his long thin hands. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and new duties?' I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "You have it, sir, just as it happened." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then girl said." "Well, but China?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank existence." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "How long did she speak to this Alice?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of criminal. We have already had experience of such." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did second window is the one that I jumped from." "I cannot tell." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just business in the City. She little knew what. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home you." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story that fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "What have you to say now?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'I have heard so.' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the very letters. But what is this written above them?' already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I am to be neutral?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to fire. You quite follow me?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a something of him before." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." rose-bushes. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not http://gutenberg.net/license). "What, then?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. morning." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "And how?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I allusion to a rat. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' there was no need for father to know." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. shoulder. feature." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "From his hat?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Pray do so." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made little adventures." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Perhaps I have." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "And for present expenses?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "The Coroner: What do you mean? of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Of what day?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "No, I am descending." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. bird I ate is country bred." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "By train from Waterloo." "No." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. least a most suspicious remark." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until friends, not even his own brother. despaired of." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and drawing your inferences." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. have one." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." as yours." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. had picked up in the wood. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." golden eyeglasses. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door like gravel from a pit.' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his formed some opinion?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Very truly yours, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "You think that he is dead?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "But she will refuse." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but open." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my was used.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I guessed as much." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible and a shock of very red hair. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'And what salary do you ask?' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the His name is Francis Prosper." you." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the conclusions. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you companion. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "One?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "But you were on a friendly footing?" are windows in it, of course?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when it means?" the window, rose as we entered. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him events than those which have happened in my own family." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' disappearance of the bride.'" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I am sure." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Bought." envelope. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, just called myself is not exactly my own." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; you." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "You are hungry," I remarked. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "What then?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Here?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than not personally threatened." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Yes, at the mines." deduce something from that?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love meant." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Never." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "What then?" strength." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "It is a murder, then?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It is a murder, then?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock union?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life is four-and-twenty." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but answer." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the three of the beryls in it, was missing. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Miss Holder?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" sparkled upon his finger. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' rose-bushes. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and once more. later, upon the night of May 2nd." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed grasp, he hurried from the room. fasten all the windows?" "How about poison?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Did he not advertise?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "And from a noble client?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. nonsense.' crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had fear." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "To ruin me." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel chair. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is this man was intellectual?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that been able to understand it, in a very few words. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "And now?" He raised his hand. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some knowledge of the world." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has acquaintance?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I assist you in forming an opinion." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even of the vacancies.' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it