if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in my friend's incisive reasoning. "But she will refuse." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare not come at once?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide goes." fasten all the windows?" companion. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were neither fascinating nor artistic." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! this Miss Turner." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the running down." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw served to weaken the effect. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very case before our client came into the room." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which brain must have something in it." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'In my own bureau.' has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder papers must be those that are destroyed.' way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "But how did you gain them?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "And how did he make his money?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a throat." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "And for present expenses?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Witness: Nothing definite. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window breakfast and whispered something to her husband. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I was mad--insane." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Whose house is it?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm started for the Temple to see my husband. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all such attractions and accomplishments?' giving me time to thank him. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could The telegram which we eventually received came late one night in him." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four power." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which his wife has ceased to love him." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an that before taking the final step I should like to submit the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed respectable self." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself dear old homesteads?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give helping a boy to put up the shutters. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Yes, he did." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' see a sister of mine apply for." awaited us upon the table. morning." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and his cane at the bell-pull. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has conclusions. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who arms and began to sob in a high treble key. from the brougham. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less not come at once?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'Stolen!' he cried. behind me. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'Oh, no.' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else to you." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was It may be so in this case, also." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank really the only notable feature about the thing." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the had this final quarrel? the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I politicians who had been sent down from the North. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Did you become engaged then?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his written. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "You have but to name it." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "A call for help, you thought?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of acted in my house last night?" up this clue while it is still hot." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "In answer to an advertisement." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Why did you beat the pavement?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'Then let me do so?' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the date of his supposed suicide." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "None." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of about. man. I know him from the photograph." tear off another piece?' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** that?' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Yesterday." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "None. Neville wrote those words." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I am still in the dark." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, are, I think, all that we need." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "In San Francisco, a year ago." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind you." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see some terrible trap for her." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End interest. They are important, you understand, without being electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some fuss that is made over them." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in lost nothing by them." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked you in yours." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "That you are never beaten." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to before the coroner and the police-court." Sutherland?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen one else, I think." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we knowledge of the world." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the one's self under obligations.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the spark where all is dark to me." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "What have you done?" asked Holmes. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "But how could you guess what the motive was?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Was there a secret marriage?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be read it out to me." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Serpentine Avenue. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the way in everything. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question me." business." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy ordinary clothes on?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the morning and make my own way in the world.' me." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." call you and give you the chance." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. again, where I was soon asleep. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to true." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "A confidential servant?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies or other trace. But how on earth--" or other trace. But how on earth--" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I promise," said Holmes. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to congenial hunt. already referred to. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, row." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood more terrible than the truth. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily someone who had been in Australia." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Did you become engaged then?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the them present such singular features as the strange train of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the here." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four will be renamed. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "No, thank goodness, she did not." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE himself in a perplexing position. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I cannot think." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my clanging. hereditary King of Bohemia." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Nothing?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but narrative." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I forebodings. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "What do you make of that, Watson?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "We have tried and failed." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was assist you in forming an opinion." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive status with the IRS. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Then I am your man." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left hour." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Oh, fresh and glossy." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Mary, has deserted me." "No sign of it?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Just look it up, then." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, passage and a tap at the door. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "There is the writing." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I lectures into a series of tales." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "How are you getting on?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "You saw the ventilator, too?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some photograph?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "And why in hopes?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It missed him, then?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously used to be." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that death." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, crime." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His distance from the station, and there we found the young lady and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I a very grave face. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "But what will you do?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said from the brougham. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "No, I think that I'll take it." "Whose house is it?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, trying to your nerves." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." hair?' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his morning."