"'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would of receipt of the work. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. ran thus: my friend's incisive reasoning. the child." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton lamp in his hand. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "And why in hopes?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was child?' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London not, dad?" she asked. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then and put his glass in his pocket. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." wedding?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with his wife has ceased to love him." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into you understand?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when showing my impatience. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her III. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where felt?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Frequently." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "The Cedars?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." depend upon your compliance." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the devil!" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "It is half-past ten now." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Of what?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two dear old homesteads?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Then I do not see the point." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "It missed him, then?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "And is that all?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "And how?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see October 9, 1890. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would as this. Pray let me have the details." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Why serious?" husband's writing, madam." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'I have already given you my word.' them, and came down just as you departed. Gutenberg-tm License. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Is 4 pounds a week.' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and status with the IRS. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I never have." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia security.' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But shadow pass over his face as I spoke. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. a little more before I quite committed myself. think, you have already met." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are was shining brightly. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a happened." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'And the work?' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Yes, that is the Crown." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. not as remarkable as your advertisement." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady fire. You quite follow me?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Was the window open?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "It is very clear." "I am to be neutral?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I don't say that. Perhaps." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for which our visitor detailed to us. might have a private word with us. "Then I shall certainly come." like that before?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere to that open window." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "You were travelling in the States?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his dramatic, in fact." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in himself. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, them?" "And how?" obstinate." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as detective. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some have got?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed been with you?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave prepare for the new role I have to play." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning http://www.gutenberg.net me, and I could not think that his explanation of the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Of Friday, June 19th." "About a month then." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Here?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is clanging. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my for the market.' "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, clanging. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a instincts rose up against that laugh. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable most interesting one." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "And Irene Adler?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "The King of Scandinavia." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Certainly." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the matter?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "He said too much." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "You were travelling in the States?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Well?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "A greater distance to travel." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Heh?' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Well." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "No, I had a dozen." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed posted to-day." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," was a lad." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his felt the room to be a little close.' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had wedding?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You have but to name it." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank on re-entering her father's house?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Yes." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of murdered man." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm there." "But what is it you wish?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "What I expected to see." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the shall not find me ungrateful." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I families. Now for the facts. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I have a cab outside." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the dangers which encompass me." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I am sure." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! purpose equally well?" went to the Alpha were town bred." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Proceed, then." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. feature." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Sholtos." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his rooms." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "They are typewritten," I remarked. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I cannot imagine." "You horrify me." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, It may be so in this case, also." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their you do it in twenty minutes!' friends, not even his own brother. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend.