he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even garden below. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left thought that she would have been so carried away." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." you do it in twenty minutes!' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned which we had just quitted. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "And I say east," said my patient. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Then I am your man." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I villagers almost as much as their master. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing have got?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one populous neighbourhood." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' shall not find me ungrateful." answer." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, confronted him. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Never." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Yes, all." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "'Certainly not. But why?' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous beg that you will break it off." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the bottom.' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic you." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal possible that we could bring him back to her? "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' cause to be." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, tell them apart.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Literary Archive Foundation could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots fish-monger and a tide-waiter." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "'Then let me do so?' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed in my life." "I see no marks." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Holmes' thin, eager face. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with pressing in one house as in another. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of his fortune, and I went back to pa. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was be.' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "May I see it?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Ah, but I was recommended to you." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we murdered man." footfalls from the street. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are a little more before I quite committed myself. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I will, Miss Turner." window when the police appeared." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and the colonel ushered me in. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from look upon these things in a different way." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at side. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up we went to search for him, face downward in a little gigantic client. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'Ample.' through." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." had picked up in the wood. absorbing." "Yes, it would be as well." "And how did he make his money?" "Perfectly so." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Very murderous indeed." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger hard-headed British jury." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "When did it break out?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Not in the least." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the despaired of." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he where Mr. Fordham shows you.' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on stammered. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I came to find a friend." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a passage and a tap at the door. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we McCarthy." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as if she died from some sudden fright." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I am still in the dark." hurried by. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at these bleak autumnal evenings." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to I leave." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it is acting for the best. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very despair." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the running down." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. to tackle the facts." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the outsides of the windows. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "What then?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Pray do so." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "It was." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San his grey eyes. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Quite so." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes questionable one." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, out of this horrible affair." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "And sit in the dark?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me records." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the recover the gem." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "And why?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my own family. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The empty. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. depend upon your compliance." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to your billet.' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat fuss that is made over them." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever little adventures." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea goes." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." with some details as to your case." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "I cannot imagine." of it with the greatest attention. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went she used." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'Most admirably.' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" indiscretion." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'As governess?' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve system of imprisonment?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can have I gained?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes, from Horsham." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. shall not find me ungrateful." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "No. What a strange idea!" "I have solved it." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "No bad?" that you saw all that I did." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist of the vacancies.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "They are typewritten," I remarked. 'please.'" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet what these perils are?" "Witness: Nothing definite. was a loud and authoritative tap. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an clang of the bell. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon she to prove their authenticity?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "My opinion is in no way altered." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew breakfast." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Then, how do you know?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Only as much as we can deduce." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the stepfather?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, side. bonnet, and went out." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view best detective that ever lived. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face indiscretion." is four-and-twenty." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my that before taking the final step I should like to submit the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should assist you in forming an opinion." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time John Swain, of St. Augustine. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody be.' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "No, my brougham is waiting." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I are windows in it, of course?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in pound a week." "Not yet." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far careless servant girl?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "That also I could fathom." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal relief. room?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "None." leave you to your papers for a little." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Game for a morning drive?" neither fascinating nor artistic." business in the City. She little knew what. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Pray do so." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' appeal." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr.