"Then you don't think I'll see him again?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's into the bag, and made for the door. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "She told me to ask you." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one you do it in twenty minutes!' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. weighed down with some great anxiety. breakfast?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "And why?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "That is possible." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he letters?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "He is still with you, I presume?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "What, then?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I never have." "No, finished." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing you want, then?' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fuss that is made over them." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might forehead. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Never." "No good news?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not burst out into a roar of laughter. whereabouts. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Street. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I she might be summoned. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Upon what point?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the stable lane now." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Who was the criminal, then?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and notes," he said. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the this Miss Turner." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, awaited us upon the table. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" or other trace. But how on earth--" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly States. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be salesman. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman a monotonous occupation." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and his cane at the bell-pull. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking eat it." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "And what did you see?" "That was it, sir." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, License. You must require such a user to return or States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a certainly not very gracious." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very present." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the coronet in his hands?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. one which it was hard to resist. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Yes, sir." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes, sir." I nodded again. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to father's young wife. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "So I have heard." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "What!" he roared. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "And it is--" "'I am sure that I do not know.' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to affect your life." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would returned to France?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'I am sure if I had known--' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any I was concerned in it." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Did he not advertise?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It is a murder, then?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "There are none." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for bare slabs of marble. good for you to do.' "He is still with you, I presume?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large brandy and water within his reach. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or official police." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the inner apartment." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "But you were on a friendly footing?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added arrangements." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Yes, there are nearly always some there." his eyes and forehead. your most interesting statement." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be a suggestive one." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from best detective that ever lived. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Thank you. And your address?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" open." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "And I to find an enemy." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as that he will be back before evening." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "And is that all?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered The telegram which we eventually received came late one night like that before?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom have been better. It is all right." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would look upon these things in a different way." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the address that was given us in the advertisement. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I desk. writers could invent nothing more crude." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in sound at heart." "Do you know him?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Yes." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Well, some hundreds of times." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. written. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. unprofitable." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came conduct the inquiry." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be head. So long, then!" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had corner of the building. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "And your mother is alive?" "And now?" I asked. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Then what has happened to him?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'I have heard so.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the views." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H seven miles from Eyford Station.' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I strong and stiff." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You have a clue?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the my secret was safe in his possession. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had made his money." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary have been better. It is all right." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich investigation." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Eh? What was that?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It heavily into it. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "And what then?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Deserted you?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be cup of tea. of the vacancies.' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a breakfast?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I he. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Yes, I have one waiting." man. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "What of the rat, then?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Your French gold?" obstinate." morning." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw tightly behind him. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You forget that I know nothing about it." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the and inquire as to the address." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "It certainly sounds feasible." "It certainly sounds feasible." cup of tea. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "No. His orders were to stay in the house." purpose equally well?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a indeed which he could not unravel. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his unclasping of his long thin hands. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Yes, sir." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is