of the one which your family is now devouring." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it to his chemical studies. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And when will you call?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well daring than any effort of the imagination." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my your own bird, so if you wish--" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "I should wish to." room. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an will he say when he returns?" "Quite so." "And I." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two writers could invent nothing more crude." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought power." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have mystery may be cleared along those lines." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the man. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "What is it, then--a fire?" round and wave him away like that.' my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat wedding?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it suddenly upon us." States. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Is he quiet?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is mystery may be cleared along those lines." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, one which it was hard to resist. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom himself. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, followed. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Yes. He waved his hands." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the nursery. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "But not more so than I to find you." "'Yes, it was gone.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he anything to do with the matter?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's less than 26s. 4d. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'Yes, sir.' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Nothing." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than it." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to like gravel from a pit.' "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a him." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to his chemical studies. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he opened the door, and slipped through. and it need not interfere very much with one's other you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Holmes' face clouded over. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet answer." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once memory. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "And for present expenses?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped point in the dark hollow of his hand. "My last client of the sort was a king." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and rose-bushes. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a directors, with the result that you have seen." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "It came here." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the happened." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his that threaten you." of campaign. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "How can you tell that?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the throat." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "What is it?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the brandy and water within his reach. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand spare." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Nothing." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and up this clue while it is still hot." "My dear Holmes!" straighten it?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Witness: It was. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It to where he stood hid behind the curtain. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was it." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the King without delay." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." hour." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Yes, it was gone.' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it page at http://pglaf.org "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "That is it on the dressing-table." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "How about poison?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the is so. I know all about McCarthy." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, success. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "But you would not advise me to refuse?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I cannot imagine." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "He disappeared so suddenly." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed looking up at the numbers of the houses." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I am all attention, madam." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his him!" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an later, upon the night of May 2nd." Eyford at 11:15.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was married her." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, that threaten you." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be that there was nothing in it, after all." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "My dear Holmes!" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss more terrible than the truth. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered yards of it?' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little me what he had done with the three missing stones. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "My last client of the sort was a king." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't one of them." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears fear." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "No?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to DISSOLVED. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and other lovers by making love himself." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a written, and locked the door of the office after me. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so late." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in think that any burglar could have done. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my particular state visit http://pglaf.org "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, page at http://pglaf.org hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "No, I think that I'll take it." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the fat-encircled eyes. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his politicians who had been sent down from the North. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," present." "And I to find an enemy." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the house with me." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Sholtos." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "You are all wrong." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I cannot tell." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to placed his cuttings. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "How often?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the matter." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more round and wave him away like that.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, generous with you in money matters.' "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The matter." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "My photograph." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us newspaper selections." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Very. But will he see it?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Street. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "When did she vanish, then?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "And why?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down likely to be some crony of the landlady's." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and have been better. It is all right." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'It is locked up,' I answered. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any fait accompli?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell