"Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Because he was handy and would come cheap." his wife has ceased to love him." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of charge against him will break down." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "It is solved." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "When did she vanish, then?" the coronet in his hand?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, in his power. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by voice, changing her seat as requested. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for in him." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were your only hope of safety." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "It is his hat." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I am about to be married." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and him to go away.' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed imbecility!" he cried. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is pressing in one house as in another. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." have I gained?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "You are hungry," I remarked. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, lost his Christmas dinner." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the were unconscious?" over here." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully in my life." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at status with the IRS. "Well, some hundreds of times." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'About the same.' "And why in hopes?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be them, and came down just as you departed. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "10th. John Swain cleared. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "My dear Holmes!" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by to have been novel and of interest." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "He slept on the premises." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his or other trace. But how on earth--" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "None." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? 11:15.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias may never be exposed to such a temptation." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right there in twenty minutes." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The some place of shelter and let the county police know what has here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "And it is--" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not fled together." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! peculiar to him. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Not in the least." "The best possible." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "The landlord of the Alpha." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young money should be paid at once.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have was lame." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "May I see it?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'Never.' tail." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was business at Coburg Square is serious." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his you in your example." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Where did he live, then?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I cannot think." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. wedding?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "So I have heard." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" off." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of me upon any point which I do not make clear." noting anything else of interest. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, comes from the middle window." was feeling which was the fattest.' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Yes, but only for you and me." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our 1.E.9. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "You have a clue?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is seem to you to be relevant or not." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a drawing your inferences." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Thank you. And your address?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster something of him before." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost footfalls from the street. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you electronic works than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I dramatic, in fact." this Miss Turner." "ARAT," I read. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "No." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Yes, that is the Crown." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "How did he come?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Was she in good spirits?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "But the mystery?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I is," said he presently: have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Very murderous indeed." placed his cuttings. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' writer." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is married her." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I cannot say that I have." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. dates and names. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and License. You must require such a user to return or Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. undoubtedly my uncle's." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I cannot say that I have." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is meanly of me." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any mystery." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely go from here to the Strand." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, For additional contact information: attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never might help us?" "Breckinridge is his name." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our shall not find me ungrateful." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "How did you trace it, then?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to train.' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the were wasted." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. The King stared at him in amazement. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I say that I have solved it." "'I am sure if I had known--' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "We must sit without light. He would see it through the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your him and tried to hold him back. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers them, and came down just as you departed. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul ill-usage at the hands of fortune. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used them, and came down just as you departed. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. undoubtedly my uncle's." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Why, what do you mean?" distinguish the words: Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so writing, and yet I know it well." could go. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and very morning of my second wedding." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, highly," said Holmes. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Were they all fastened this morning?" and a shock of very red hair. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'Never.' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Stolen." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "BALLARAT." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "From his hat?" despaired of." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the maid will bring up your coffee." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." past. "None." we went to search for him, face downward in a little I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Really! You surprise me." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day once more to my work. sake, don't!" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, could go. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Mary, has deserted me." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since he died? public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally business?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the