examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Edgeware Road. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary careless servant girl?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin It may be so in this case, also." "Where to?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small some water from a caraffe. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect questionable one." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Yes, there are nearly always some there." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and shall probably return to London by the evening train." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You approach us with offers to donate. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Well." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Precisely so. But how--" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. there!' minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a comes from the middle window." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an wife's character?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other of the way of danger. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "What can you not understand?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. I took the paper from him and read as follows: chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a went to the Alpha were town bred." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Then you may entirely rely on me." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look and the colonel ushered me in. "Yes." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "I was certainly surprised to find you there." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Oh, yes, easily." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, cigar and let me expound." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he pound a week." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I think it very unlikely." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may coroner's jury." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself place, I think that there is good ground to think that the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Was she in good spirits?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect client, rising. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of his face. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, correct than the official force." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some tell them apart.' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Where is it, then?" friends, not even his own brother. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE straighten it?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial already referred to. mysterious end." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "To the police?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "My dear Holmes!" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "And did you observe any change in her then?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a make me his representative both with the servants and with the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. grasp, he hurried from the room. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and to talk it over. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, drove away. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the arrangements." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a pierced for earrings?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "My stepfather's business papers." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by was feeling which was the fattest.' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "'What then?' I asked. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "When did it break out?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter gigantic client. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "What I expected to see." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Chief Executive and Director hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "How do you know, then?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce gone. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" look dissatisfied." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Has he come with you to-night?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a to have been novel and of interest." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this wife's character?" "'Ample.' correct than the official force." that he has suffered." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door who was a member of your goose club." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to deduce something from that?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the keep the flames under. highroad, where all traces were lost. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." away to you." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. cup of tea. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A wall." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which occurred." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel was a lad." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Certainly,' I answered. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "No, but the enclosure is." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "But I have heard all that you have heard." highroad, where all traces were lost. "Has he come with you to-night?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Well, but China?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my disappearance of these gems?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name bachelor.' bill, which interests me deeply." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I am to be neutral?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Yes." fashion which was peculiar to him. official police." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets of." he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where so.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "When did it break out?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was spark where all is dark to me." unprecedented a position." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "No." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed through." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your morning." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Yes, at the mines." the south-west, I see." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his figure." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" experiences." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I know where it is." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the armchair which I pushed forward for him. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project behind me. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous once more for Briony Lodge. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they strength of mind to control. "Yes, it was twisted." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, upon the white wrist. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Why did you beat the pavement?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and affection." own family. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, yourselves in at night?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he of receipt of the work. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "How did that help you?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "BALLARAT." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'Not at all. I only doubt--' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, experiences." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will look dissatisfied." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "No sign of it?" "And now?" I asked. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' which our visitor detailed to us. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Dirty?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came next day. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a had a long day." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "The Cedars?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "What! Had he lost his wife?" any more." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who annoyance, but no jest. to tackle the facts." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to anything to do with the matter?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of very morning of my second wedding." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to nonsense.' "Yes." someone who had been in Australia." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the address that was given us in the advertisement. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. writers could invent nothing more crude." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, excitement. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously morning." which our visitor detailed to us. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." acted in my house last night?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he