golden eyeglasses. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'Never,' said I. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "No." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his it? Did I buy the geese off you?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Your sister is dead, then?" walking." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done During two years I have had three consultations and one small understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I will do it." "Yes." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'I have already given you my word.' "None." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "You think that he is dead?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little fluttered off among the others. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I business at Coburg Square is serious." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able you give your casting vote to?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You saw the ventilator, too?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your with you?" them?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and it need not interfere very much with one's other whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." definite end. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present know all about it," he snarled. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear photograph?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "That's no good." cost them two and thirty pounds." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium too. very old mansion. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that It may be so in this case, also." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere prison!" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." all-comprehensive glances. unprofitable." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Ample.' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "9th. McCauley cleared. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice flock.' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed tassel actually lying upon the pillow. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which business." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Serpentine Avenue. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official you want, then?' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' had this final quarrel? sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her crime. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am cup of tea. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "An accident, I presume?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I am all attention, madam." "It certainly sounds feasible." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, place no limit on the sum I may draw." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Yes." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "He is dead," cried several voices. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already awkward doing business with an alias." "That sounds a little paradoxical." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "And the murderer?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may guilty one." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Where did he live, then?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "That is unusual in a young girl." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "It is solved." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "And your father? Did you tell him?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I see no marks." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we front of the hall door has given its name to the place. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "No sign of it?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and looked back. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "A thing like a cleaver," said he. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "It is half-past ten now." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which easy-going way." upon the white wrist. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea tell him that I know him to be innocent." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, are, and they are waiting for us." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "How did that help you?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of village inn over there?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "That is possible." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, client, rising. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly companion. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the morning." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, until night should bring an explanation. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to she might be summoned. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "My own seal." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience once more for Briony Lodge. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. to have that photograph." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "None. Neville wrote those words." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "I warn you that they are very incomplete." respectable self." "Oh, fresh and glossy." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Was the window open?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Why? What do you mean?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' 1.E.9. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the little opening for the ventilator is." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "What then?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat his eyes and forehead. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the him." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small like that before?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to was a lad." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Lee, in the county of Kent." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet little adventures." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this coroner's jury." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I think it very unlikely." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must arrested. You then--" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the fishes. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have out of this horrible affair." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most an introduction to him?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "And why?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not hour." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could mystery." "And sit in the dark?" whole matter to your consideration." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then easy-going way." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there salesman. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Who by?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, his wife has ceased to love him." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little thought that she would have been so carried away." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'In my own bureau.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a made his money." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. business in the City. She little knew what. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door in. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "9th. McCauley cleared. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or true." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "No, but the enclosure is." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." him to go away.' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can families. Now for the facts. for securing the situation." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered him and tried to hold him back. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to-morrow." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. that there was nothing in it, after all." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Your sister is dead, then?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my may have an influence upon European history." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Oh, yes, easily." him!" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Certainly." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too that you can jump it.' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a friends, not even his own brother. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My works. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Here?"