is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I think it very unlikely." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told was the fact that his father should, according to his account, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that him." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just to that open window." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "And Irene Adler?" "I shall most certainly do so." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "And is that all?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Will you bet, then?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. had formerly been in part my own. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark may have an influence upon European history." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of a light. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Was there a secret marriage?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Yes. He waved his hands." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." himself to hunt down. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something out of this horrible affair." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'As governess?' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Pray continue your narrative." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian indeed which he could not unravel. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, photograph?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of the one which your family is now devouring." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "It is a murder, then?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "So I heard. You have him here?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." were wasted." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Nearly eleven." secret." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to to have that photograph." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most something of him before." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Never to return." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. present." hurried by. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the tragedy. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more rat could hardly pass through." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "May I see it?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I think that I had better go, Holmes." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "None." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some voice, changing her seat as requested. thirty. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "At what time?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in cheerful." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic outside. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Tired-looking or fresh?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I shall most certainly do so." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting American. Then who could this American be, and why should he bachelor.' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "What, then?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses upon the sideboard." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "No." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." one else, I think." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is burst out into a roar of laughter. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I do." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I am sure." "And how in the world did you find them?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Deserted you?" page at http://pglaf.org have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Nothing." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it than to us. stepfather?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Yes, he did." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Never.' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the running down." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' humiliation." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." kind enough to tell me what I should do." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was papers." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was morning." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "That was it, sir." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster sofa. This way, please!" yet." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, together. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "What office?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "And Irene Adler?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the long narrative. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the wedding?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, sneer upon his pale face. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'What do you call purely nominal?' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them side. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' rat could hardly pass through." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The this man was intellectual?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in suddenly upon us." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Pray tell us what has happened to you." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which have accepted such a situation. families. Now for the facts. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Did you observe the colour?" south, for the country is more deserted there." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black get the tickets." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "The Cedars?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Stolen." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. your billet.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each business at Coburg Square is serious." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this case before our client came into the room." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Your sister is dead, then?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "And what did you see?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' young Openshaw's." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the matter." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect returned to France?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Ample." not, dad?" she asked. "That sounds a little paradoxical." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "We were both in the photograph." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'Stolen!' he cried. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a is a common subject for conversation. status with the IRS. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I throat." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding spark where all is dark to me." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I shall be delighted." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, man. I know him from the photograph." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I cannot as yet see any connection." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to to tackle the facts." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" one's self under obligations.' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." window when the police appeared." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a in his hands." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "You have but to name it." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to plantation.' first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows stood on the top of it. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to to talk it over. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective despair." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water to-night." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and that I am arrested." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "At what time?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name you." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the hereditary King of Bohemia." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg promised to bring home. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to redistribution. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the his wife has ceased to love him." seven miles from Eyford Station.' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but