the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the suspect him." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "What is it, then--a fire?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Was she in good spirits?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her should be so warm over such a trifle." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "That is unusual in a young girl." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I think it very unlikely." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be sound at heart." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. are, and they are waiting for us." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'Is 4 pounds a week.' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Look there!" said he. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how guilty one." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle families. Now for the facts. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Do you know him?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding direction." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the was lame." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "But not more so than I to find you." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, is now desirous of getting those letters back." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'Where could I find him?' house for five minutes.' mysterious end." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil all?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may wall." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured feature." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and you?' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself is acting for the best. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and breakfast." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side your bag." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. III. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a his eyes and forehead. mysterious end." late!' were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they must be when I saw the door open.' "Did you become engaged then?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the salesman. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "And now?" I asked. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" already referred to. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit populous neighbourhood." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual derbies." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Whose house is it?" of Mr. Rucastle's." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "And help." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began to-night." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Of what day?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up this unhappy family?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "So I have heard." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "What of the rat, then?" was shining brightly. colonel looking down at me. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was at a side door. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain already been minutely examined." foresight and the moral retrogression?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad not use it unless it is absolutely needed." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves delirious. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. furiously. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Ample." easy-going way." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a woman." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the clanging. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when arms and began to sob in a high treble key. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "What will you say?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the stable lane now." "What will you say?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "The King of Scandinavia." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Yes." floor. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to security.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "And is that all?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "It looks newer than the other things?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in me have 200 pounds?' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to on in his house." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "One?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I better grown goose." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Yes, it was twisted." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since directly by questioning you." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Who by?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" dead, shall be safe with us." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet presume?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Doctor, of the paper and the date." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "It was an hour's good drive." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'Yes.' of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "That's no good." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Yes, there are nearly always some there." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged once more for Briony Lodge. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "But how will you look?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "ARAT," I read. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and events than those which have happened in my own family." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." already referred to. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I will, Miss Turner." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the foresight and the moral retrogression?" within hail.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Certainly." interested in these little problems, and since you are good thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "No." less than 26s. 4d. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. up this clue while it is still hot." stammered. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the direction." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to south, for the country is more deserted there." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I would apply.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "None." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "In heaven's name, what for?" Again Holmes raved in the air. events than those which have happened in my own family." wanted for ourselves." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I shall be delighted." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "In what way?" asked Holmes. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "But of what society?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was strength of mind to control. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he for its centre. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Why serious?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." trifles." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, as he remarks, very much against the son." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one success. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several my former friend and companion. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to developed." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Indeed! Whose, then?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "One?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. suddenly upon us." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Cross for the Continent." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to you want, then?' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Well?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." works. the Red-headed League." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "What I expected to see." once more. both be extremely obliged.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" had picked up in the wood. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his copied or distributed: "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "In which, sir?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' you." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Why that?' I asks. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed my secret was safe in his possession. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I shall be delighted." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "What of the rat, then?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or tightly behind him. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "BALLARAT." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "BALLARAT." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, cheerful." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'I am sure that I do not know.' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Cross for the Continent." had died away into the silence from which it rose. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "You have compromised yourself seriously." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark fashion which was peculiar to him. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so